TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparative analysis of the microstructure of the hamstring tendons
T2 - an electron microscopic, histologic, and morphologic study.
AU - Hadjicostas, Panayiotis T.
AU - Soucacos, Panayotis N.
AU - Koleganova, Nadezda
AU - Piecha, Grzegorz
AU - Krohmer, Gerhard
AU - Berger, Irina
PY - 2008/9
Y1 - 2008/9
N2 - Semitendinosus and gracilis tendons taken from 25 cadaveric knees were investigated using light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and morphometry. Thickness of the collagen fibrils, fibril/interstitium ratio, density of blood vessels, density of fibroblasts, and distribution of the collagen fibrils (types I, III, and V collagen and elastic fibers) were analyzed. It was hypothesized that the difference in biomechanical stability between the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons could be reflected by different morphologic features. The results of this study showed that the gracilis tendon, in comparison with the semitendinosus tendon, provides a significantly higher fibril/interstitium ratio and a higher density of collagen III fibers. Conversely, the semitendinosus tendon provides a higher density of blood vessels and collagen I fibers. No differences regarding the density of fibroblasts, thickness of collagen fibrils, and elastic and type V collagen fibers were found. In conclusion, the gracilis tendon graft can provide approximately 15% more collagen than the semitendinosus tendon graft with the same thickness. This fact can play an important role for better biomechanical stability of the gracilis tendon.
AB - Semitendinosus and gracilis tendons taken from 25 cadaveric knees were investigated using light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and morphometry. Thickness of the collagen fibrils, fibril/interstitium ratio, density of blood vessels, density of fibroblasts, and distribution of the collagen fibrils (types I, III, and V collagen and elastic fibers) were analyzed. It was hypothesized that the difference in biomechanical stability between the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons could be reflected by different morphologic features. The results of this study showed that the gracilis tendon, in comparison with the semitendinosus tendon, provides a significantly higher fibril/interstitium ratio and a higher density of collagen III fibers. Conversely, the semitendinosus tendon provides a higher density of blood vessels and collagen I fibers. No differences regarding the density of fibroblasts, thickness of collagen fibrils, and elastic and type V collagen fibers were found. In conclusion, the gracilis tendon graft can provide approximately 15% more collagen than the semitendinosus tendon graft with the same thickness. This fact can play an important role for better biomechanical stability of the gracilis tendon.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=58149354545&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 18851799
AN - SCOPUS:58149354545
SN - 1548-825X
VL - 17
SP - 153
EP - 158
JO - Journal of surgical orthopaedic advances
JF - Journal of surgical orthopaedic advances
IS - 3
ER -