Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to make a histological analysis of the remodelling process of hamstring tendon graft used as Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). The hamstring graft of eight patients was biopsied at different follow-up times from 1 to 10 years. The specimens were analysed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at ultrastructural level comparing them with a native ACL and a native hamstring graft. The hamstring graft was found to undergo ultrastructural changes in terms of number and diameter of fibrils with the major changes occurring in the first 2 years. At longer times after surgery (48 and 120 months) no important further changes were evident and the ultrastructure did not vary substantially from 2 to 10 years. In conclusion, the hamstring tendon used as ACL graft undergoes a transformation process but does not match the ultrastructure pattern of a normal ACL up to 10 years.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1052-1058 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Keywords
- ACL reconstruction
- Arthroscopy
- Electron microscopy
- Hamstring
- Knee
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Surgery