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Effect of Quadriceps Tendon Autograft Preparation and Fixation on Graft Laxity During Suspensory Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Biomechanical Analysis.
- Source :
- Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine; Oct2024, Vol. 12 Issue 10, p1-9, 9p
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Background: Favorable collagen fibril density and thickness combined with advances in graft preparation and fixation have significantly increased interest in the quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. While various suspensory techniques have been described, the biomechanical profile of these constructs is largely undefined. Purpose: To compare the biomechanics of suspensory techniques for soft tissue QT autograft fixation in an in vitro model of ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Full-thickness QT grafts were harvested using a 9-mm graft blade. Adjustable-loop devices (ALDs) were secured to the graft (n = 6 per group) with a combination implant containing the ALD and suture tape-reinforced whipstitching (tape-reinforced [TR] group), tethered superficially to the graft with a whipstitch (onlay [OL] group), luggage-tagged through and around the graft (luggage tag [LT] group), or staggered behind superficial suturing (staggered [SG] group). Grafts were tested on an electromechanical testing machine following a validated in vitro reconstruction model of intraoperative workflow and postoperative ACL kinematics, cyclic loading, and load to failure. Results: The TR group had significantly less postcyclic tension loss (mean, 24%) compared with the OL (56%; P =.002), LT (69%; P <.001), and SG (90%; P <.001) constructs. Cyclic elongation was below the 3.0-mm threshold defined as clinical failure for TR (1.6 mm), but not for OL (3.3 mm), LT (7.9 mm), and SG (11.3 mm). All constructs were within native ACL stiffness limits (220 ± 72 N/mm) without significant differences. Ultimate loads significantly exceeded a normal ACL loading limit of 454 N for TR (739 N; P =.023), OL (547 N; P =.020), and LT (769 N; P =.001), but not for SG (346 N; P =.236). Conclusion: The TR ALD construct demonstrated the most favorable time-zero biomechanical properties of modern soft tissue QT suspensory constructs, with 32% less tension loss and 52% less cyclic elongation versus the closest construct. Failure loading of all constructs was acceptable with respect to the native ACL except for the SG group, which had suboptimal ultimate load. Clinical Relevance: TR ALD implants may protect soft tissue QT autografts before graft-bone healing in ACL reconstruction by minimizing time-zero laxity and fixation failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- QUADRICEPS tendon
BIOMECHANICS
IN vitro studies
ANTERIOR cruciate ligament injuries
ANTERIOR cruciate ligament surgery
AUTOGRAFTS
RESEARCH funding
T-test (Statistics)
DATA analysis
MEDICAL cadavers
PARAMETERS (Statistics)
KRUSKAL-Wallis Test
TISSUE fixation (Histology)
ANTERIOR cruciate ligament
MATHEMATICAL statistics
SUTURING
ONE-way analysis of variance
STATISTICS
DATA analysis software
NONPARAMETRIC statistics
SUTURES
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 23259671
- Volume :
- 12
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 180676267
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/23259671241288578