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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

Published in:

01-08-2010 | Knee

Electron microscopy of the remodelling process in hamstring tendon used as ACL graft

Authors: Stefano Zaffagnini, Viviana De Pasquale, Leonardo Marchesini Reggiani, Alessandro Russo, Patrizia Agati, Beatrice Bacchelli, Maurilio Marcacci

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 8/2010

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.

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Title: Electron microscopy of the remodelling process in hamstring tendon used as ACL graft
Authors: Stefano Zaffagnini
Viviana De Pasquale
Leonardo Marchesini Reggiani
Alessandro Russo
Patrizia Agati
Beatrice Bacchelli
Maurilio Marcacci
Publication date: 01-08-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 8/2010
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-009-0925-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Electron microscopy of the remodelling process in hamstring tendon used as ACL graft

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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