Recovery of knee function associated with regeneration of semitendinosus and gracillis grafts used for reconstructive procedures

Author(s): Jeevan MP and John T John

Abstract: Materials and methods: The retrospective study was done at Lourdes Hospital, Ernakulam, Kerala. Patients who presented with tears were grouped based on the tendon used for reconstruction into ST group in whom the semitendinosus alone was used for reconstruction and STG group in whom the semitendinosus and gracillis was used for reconstruction. Only Patients with ACL tears was considered in this study as the procedure to access recovery of knee function could be standardised across all patients included in the study. To compensate for the recovery of range of movements associated with acute ACL rupture patients was further grouped based on time of injury to reconstruction. GROUP I included patients who underwent ACL Reconstruction within 4 months of injury, GROUP II within 4-8 months of injury and GROUP III within 8-12 Months of injury. Results: The range of movements in Group I Improved steadily with time in all patients who were Operated with semitendinosus (ST) and semitendinosus and gracillis (STG) grafts. Pt operated with ST alone showed significant improvement, but there was no difference at 6^th Month or 1 year time (other P Values>0.05).In comparison with opposite limb Patients attained more than 90% Rom in ST group compared to STG. Statistically minor significant difference between relative Range of Movement was found at 3 months and 6 months of follow up in Group I, II and III but at 1-year period there was no significant difference in relative ROM or on comparison with the opposite limb as all p values were >0 Conclusion: Irrespective of the graft used at one year there was no statistically significant difference between overall Range of Movement, Relative range of movement at 3,6 and one year follow up and functional loss compared to opposite limb (p values>0). We did not find significant differences with the final outcome but the rate of recovery was better with the use of semitendinosus alone hence surgeon may always consider reconstruction using semitendinosus, especially in athletes demanding deep flexion of the knee.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/ortho.2020.v6.i2o.2158