TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparative Analysis of the Morphologic Structure of Quadriceps and Patellar Tendon
T2 - A Descriptive Laboratory Study
AU - Hadjicostas, Panayiotis T.
AU - Soucacos, Panayotis N.
AU - Berger, Irina
AU - Koleganova, Nadezda
AU - Paessler, Hans H.
PY - 2007/7
Y1 - 2007/7
N2 - Purpose: The difference in ultimate strength between the quadriceps and patellar tendon could be reflected by different morphologic features. Methods: Standardized samples of quadriceps and patellar tendons were harvested from 20 cadavers and were investigated via light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and morphometry. The thickness of collagen fibrils, fibril-interstitium ratio, density of blood vessels, density of fibroblasts, and distribution of collagen fibrils were analyzed. Results: In comparison with the patellar tendon, the quadriceps tendon showed a significantly higher fibril-interstitium ratio (P = .0004) and a higher fibroblast density (P = .0011). No differences regarding the thickness of collagen fibrils, density of blood vessels, and distribution of fibrils were found. Conclusions: The quadriceps tendon graft can provide approximately 20% more collagen than the patellar tendon graft with the same thickness. This fact can play an important role in the better ultimate strength of the quadriceps tendon. Clinical Relevance: The detailed anatomic description of the quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon explains the difference in their ultimate strength.
AB - Purpose: The difference in ultimate strength between the quadriceps and patellar tendon could be reflected by different morphologic features. Methods: Standardized samples of quadriceps and patellar tendons were harvested from 20 cadavers and were investigated via light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and morphometry. The thickness of collagen fibrils, fibril-interstitium ratio, density of blood vessels, density of fibroblasts, and distribution of collagen fibrils were analyzed. Results: In comparison with the patellar tendon, the quadriceps tendon showed a significantly higher fibril-interstitium ratio (P = .0004) and a higher fibroblast density (P = .0011). No differences regarding the thickness of collagen fibrils, density of blood vessels, and distribution of fibrils were found. Conclusions: The quadriceps tendon graft can provide approximately 20% more collagen than the patellar tendon graft with the same thickness. This fact can play an important role in the better ultimate strength of the quadriceps tendon. Clinical Relevance: The detailed anatomic description of the quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon explains the difference in their ultimate strength.
KW - Cadaveric study
KW - Comparative morphology
KW - Morphometry
KW - Patellar tendon
KW - Quadriceps tendon
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34447283529&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.arthro.2007.01.032
DO - 10.1016/j.arthro.2007.01.032
M3 - Article
C2 - 17637410
AN - SCOPUS:34447283529
SN - 0749-8063
VL - 23
SP - 744
EP - 750
JO - Arthroscopy - Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery
JF - Arthroscopy - Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery
IS - 7
ER -