Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction With Half Width (Hemi Tendon) Semitendinosus Graft

NULL

Joao L. Ellera Gomes, MD, MSc, PhD ORTHOPEDICS 2008, 31:322 The half width tendon technique preserves muscle continuity, with faster and easier postoperative recovery Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction was introduced in the early 1990s as a new therapeutic option for recurrent patellar dislocation and subluxation. It has since gained international recognition, especially because of its minimally invasive character. However, doubt remains over which periarticular structure provides the best graft material for reconstruction. The analysis of surgical techniques that use semitendinosus grafts shows that because of this tendon’s length and thickness, only half of its width is sufficient for grafting. Using half the tendon width preserves both the longitudinal integrity of the semitendinosus muscle complex after harvesting and a significant part of its function. This article describes a procedure in which a half tendon width semitendinosus (hemi tendon) graft is used for medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction to reduce the morbidity associated with this otherwise advantageous technique.