Suture tape reinforcement of hamstring tendon graft reduces postoperative knee laxity after primary ACL reconstruction

Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics

Table 3 Patient objective outcome and muscle strength

	HT + ST n = 20	HT control n = 20	p-value	QT + ST n = 20	QT control n = 20	p-value
ROM^a
Loss of extension
Preop	0	0	n.s.	0	0	n.s.
6w	6 (30)	4 (20)	n.s.	4 (20)	2 (10)	n.s.
6 m	0	0	n.s.	0	0	n.s.
Loss of flexion
Preop	0	0	n.s.	0	0	n.s.
6w	11 (55)	4 (20)	0.029	10 (50)	4 (20)	0.046
6 m	1 (5)	2 (10)	n.s.	1 (5)	1 (5)	n.s.
Hydrops^b
Preop	0	0	n.s.	0	0	n.s.
6w	12 (60)	9 (45)	n.s.	12 (60)	8 (40)	n.s.
6 m	2 (10)	1 (5)	n.s.	1 (5)	1 (5)	n.s.
Clinical laxity^c at 6 m
Lachman	4 (20)	3 (15)	n.s.	3 (15)	3 (15)	n.s.
Pivot Shift	0	0	n.s.	0	0	n.s.
Biodex 6 m LSI ≥ 90%^d
Quadriceps strength	5 (28)	5 (25)	n.s.	1 (8)	1 (5)	n.s.
Hamstring strength	4 (22)	6 (30)	n.s.	10 (77)	12 (60)	n.s.

Values are displayed as number and (%) percentage
HT Hamstring tendon, ST Suture tape, QT Quadriceps tendon
^aROM at 6 weeks and 6 months is compared to pre-op values in the operated knee
^bHydrops according to IKDC
^cAssesses stability of knee at rest result range from 0 (normal stability) to 1 (increased instability)
^d The limb symmetry indexes (LSIs) of the peak quadriceps and hamstring torque were calculated as [involved limb/uninvolved limb × 100] for each test. The achievement of a symmetrical isokinetic muscle strength was defined as performing at least 90% of the contralateral leg (LSI ≥ 90%)