Which tendon is used for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction?
Jun 02, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lin Yunfei
Introduction
In general, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery involves harvesting the semitendinosus tendon, hamstring tendons, and biceps femoris tendon. When selecting the tendon, doctors will evaluate and choose based on the patient's specific condition. Typically, the semitendinosus tendon is the most commonly used due to its good strength and stability. Note that if an anterior cruciate ligament injury occurs, prompt medical treatment at a hospital is essential.
Generally, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery requires the use of the semitendinosus tendon, hamstring tendons, and biceps femoris tendon. The details are as follows:
1. Semitendinosus Tendon
The semitendinosus tendon is a tendon located at the back of the knee joint and is one of the most commonly used tendons in ACL reconstruction. Its advantages include moderate length, large diameter, and the ability to provide sufficient strength and stability.
2. Hamstring Tendons
The hamstring tendons refer to a group of muscles located at the back of the knee joint, including the semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and short head of the biceps femoris. The advantages of hamstring tendons are their moderate length and ability to provide adequate strength and stability.
3. Biceps Femoris Tendon
The biceps femoris tendon is a tendon located at the posterior aspect of the thigh and is less commonly used in ACL reconstruction. Its advantage lies in its longer length, which can also provide sufficient strength and stability.
When selecting a tendon, doctors will evaluate and choose based on the patient's specific condition. In general, the semitendinosus tendon is the most frequently used due to its excellent strength and stability. However, if the patient's semitendinosus tendon is unhealthy or already damaged, the doctor may opt for another tendon for the reconstruction procedure. Note that if an anterior cruciate ligament injury occurs, prompt medical treatment at a hospital is essential.
