Hamstring tendons are commonly used for Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction. In our series of 100 consecutive Hamstring ACL reconstructions, a four-strand graft was less than 7.0 mm in 5 patients. The aim of this study was to develop a screening test to assess the size of the hamstring tendon and so aid in the pre operative planning and patient counselling especially if hamstring size was deemed to be inadequate. A retrospective study of 100 consecutive hamstring ACL reconstructions analysed the correlation of the tendon size to height, weight and body mass index. A prospective double blind study was also set up involving independent observations by a musculoskeletal radiologist and the lead Orthopaedic surgeon. There was no correlation between the anthropometric measures and hamstring size in the retrospective study. A total of 27 limbs were assessed sonographically, in 26 patients. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was found to Pearson's r = 0.0786; p = 0.715. Pre-operative anthropometric measures and Ultrasound could not be used as a screening test to detect inadequate hamstrings in the clinical setting.Result
Conclusion
Eleven patients (3%) had one or more episodes of dislocation. There were 22 revisions. Three of the revisions were carried out for infection, and a further 2 for recurrent dislocation. Aseptic loosening was the cause of failure in the remaining 17. Thirty three patients (36 hips, 9%) could not be traced at the time of the final follow-up. There was significant and maintained improvement in pain and function scores. One hundred and thirty eight patients (146 hips) had died at the time of the final follow-up. The best and worst case survivorship figures at 10 years were 93 +/− 2% and 83 +/− 2%, and those at 14 years were 88 +/− 4% and 78 +/− 4%, respectively, with revision for any reason as the end-point.
