Linder L H, Sukin D L, Burks R T, Haut R C
Department of Materials Science and Mechanics, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1226.
Am J Sports Med. 1994 Jan-Feb;22(1):136-42. doi: 10.1177/036354659402200121.
Three groups of dogs were used for this study. All dogs had the medial third of the patellar tendon removed from one knee, while the contralateral knee was used as a control. The time zero group was immediately sacrificed; the other two groups were sacrificed at 3 and 6 months. Once the tissues were harvested, the patellar tendon was isolated and biomechanical and histologic analyses were conducted. Three and 6 months after surgery, there was a large amount of visible scar tissue in the tendon. The cross-sectional area of the tendons was 275% and 288% of controls at 3 and 6 months, respectively. The tensile modulus of the tendon was statistically less than controls at both 3 and 6 months. The energy to failure and stiffness of the operated tendons were not statistically different than controls at 3 or 6 months after surgery. The results of this study directly contrast with those of an earlier study of the removal of the central third of the patellar tendon. While a number of factors could explain differences observed between removal of a central or medical third, this study confirms the short-term damaging effects of surgical removal of a portion of the patellar tendon to reconstruct a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
