Comparative Kinematic Analysis of Patellar vs. Hamstring Autografts in ACL Reconstruction on Side-Hop Test Performance, article
Applied Sciences, 2025
Comparative Kinematic Analysis of Patellar vs. Hamstring Autografts in ACL Reconstruction on Side-Hop Test Performance
Ana Costa 1,*, Pedro Fonseca 2, Maria Correia 3, António Barros 4, Filipa Sousa 2,5,* and Manuel Gutierres 1,4
Ana Costa 1,*, Pedro Fonseca 2, Maria Correia 3, António Barros 4, Filipa Sousa 2,5,* and Manuel Gutierres 1,4
1 Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
2 Biomechanics Laboratory of Porto (LABIOMEP), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
3 Orthopedic Department ULS São João, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
4 RISE-Health, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
5 Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
* Correspondence: anacosta111@sapo.pt (A.C.); filipas@fade.up.pt (F.S.)
Abstract:
This study aimed to analyze the biomechanical differences in knees that underwent reconstruction using four-strand hamstring or bone–patellar tendon–bone autografts during the side-hop test. This case–control study included 46 participants: 18 controls, and 28 individuals who underwent reconstruction with hamstring (n = 15) or patellar (n = 13) tendons. The Theia Markerless system and Visual3D provided information on knee kinematics, namely time of contact with the ground, maximum varus and valgus angles, and flexion during maximum valgus and varus. Additionally, we assessed the activity levels of the participants pre- and post-surgery using the Tegner Activity Scale. Data analysis was conducted using ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. Significant differences were observed in terms of contact time with the ground between the control and autograft groups (p = 0.025, g = −1.13; p = 0.014, g = −1.09), but not between the autograft groups. Other variables did not demonstrate statistically significant differences; however, there was a slight tendency to greater valgus in patellar autografts and greater varus with hamstring tendons. The absence of significant differences between the groups may indicate that both autografts allow knee kinematics restoration by engaging neuromuscular and proprioceptive mechanisms that compensate for anatomical alterations.
This study aimed to analyze the biomechanical differences in knees that underwent reconstruction using four-strand hamstring or bone–patellar tendon–bone autografts during the side-hop test. This case–control study included 46 participants: 18 controls, and 28 individuals who underwent reconstruction with hamstring (n = 15) or patellar (n = 13) tendons. The Theia Markerless system and Visual3D provided information on knee kinematics, namely time of contact with the ground, maximum varus and valgus angles, and flexion during maximum valgus and varus. Additionally, we assessed the activity levels of the participants pre- and post-surgery using the Tegner Activity Scale. Data analysis was conducted using ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. Significant differences were observed in terms of contact time with the ground between the control and autograft groups (p = 0.025, g = −1.13; p = 0.014, g = −1.09), but not between the autograft groups. Other variables did not demonstrate statistically significant differences; however, there was a slight tendency to greater valgus in patellar autografts and greater varus with hamstring tendons. The absence of significant differences between the groups may indicate that both autografts allow knee kinematics restoration by engaging neuromuscular and proprioceptive mechanisms that compensate for anatomical alterations.
Keywords:
anterior cruciate ligament injuries; side-hop test; four-strand hamstring tendon; bone–patellar tendon–bone grafts
anterior cruciate ligament injuries; side-hop test; four-strand hamstring tendon; bone–patellar tendon–bone grafts
download
