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. 2023 Nov 5;12(21):6932.
doi: 10.3390/jcm12216932.

Evaluating the Suitability of the Plantaris Tendon for Sports Trauma Reconstruction and a Predictive Model of Tendon Length Based on Height and Leg Length

JeongHyun Park  1 , Kwang-Rak Park  2 , Hyung-Wook Kwon  1 , Yu-Jin Choi  1 , Mijeong Lee  1 , Digud Kim  1 , Sung Wook Choi  3 , Jaeho Cho  4
Affiliations

Evaluating the Suitability of the Plantaris Tendon for Sports Trauma Reconstruction and a Predictive Model of Tendon Length Based on Height and Leg Length

JeongHyun Park et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

This study evaluates the suitability of the plantaris tendon (PT) as a tendon graft donor for sports trauma reconstruction and proposes a predictive model for estimating PT length by using an individual's height and leg length. Anatomical dissection of 50 cadavers (32 males and 18 females) yielded precise measurements of PT length and width while also recording height and leg length. Among the lower limbs, 89% were suitable for at least one recommended graft suitability criterion. In addition, PT length exhibited robust positive correlations with height and leg length. Predictive equations were established for estimating the PT length based on leg length and height with consistency across sexes and sides: PT length = 0.605 + 0.396 × leg length (r = 0.721) and PT length = 1.480 + 0.193 × height (r = 0.626). This study underscores the grafting potential of the PT, providing a predictive tool that can aid surgeons in addressing tendon graft challenges within sports trauma scenarios.

Keywords: anatomic reconstruction; cadaver; linear regression; plantaris tendon; sports trauma; tendon graft; tendon length.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Measurement of the length of the plantaris muscle. PM, plantaris muscle; PT, plantaris tendon; PB, plantaris muscle belly.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ratios of the plantaris tendon based on the leg length and height. (A) PT length ratio based on leg length; (B) PT length ratio based on height; leg length, straight distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the tip of the medial malleolus; PT, plantaris tendon.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ratios of the plantaris tendon based on the leg length and height. (A) PT length ratio based on leg length; (B) PT length ratio based on height; leg length, straight distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the tip of the medial malleolus; PT, plantaris tendon.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Scatterplots of the length variables. (A) Scatterplot of leg length versus plantaris tendon length; (B) scatterplot of height versus plantaris tendon length; PT, plantaris tendon.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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