[Measurement of strength of thigh muscles through arthroscope after reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the strength of thigh muscles after reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament by autogenous bone-patellar tendon-bone graft.

METHODS

Twenty-three patients, 9 males and 14 females, were followed up one year after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with autogenous bone-patellar tendon-bone graft. Through arthroscope, no intra-articular derangement was found. The strengths of isometric and isotonic contractions of the quadri ceps and the hamstrings muscles of the affected and contralateral thighs were recorded.

RESULTS

The donor side for autogenous bone-patellar tendon-bone graft showed significant decrease (P < 0.01), but no effect on that of the hamstrings muscle(P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

To reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament, harvest of the bone-patellar tendon-bone graft as a reparative material may markedly lower the strength of the quadriceps femoris muscle.