Single versus double hamstring tendon harvest for ACL reconstruction

Abstract

The use of hamstring tendons for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has become more accepted in recent years. The use of a doubled semitendinosus tendon graft versus a quadrupled semitendinosus tendon graft is still a matter of contention. We propose a technique of harvesting only the semitendinosus tendon for either single or double bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. This technique avoids the loss of deep knee flexion and loss of internal rotation strength acquired by sacrificing the gracilis.