QUADRICEPS TENDON AND PATELLAR LIGAMENT

A MORPHOMETRIC STUDY

Abstract

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is commonly injured especially
in sportsmen. Autografts using tissue from various sources including the quadriceps tendon
and patellar ligament are popular but still controversial due to varying degree of success. The
morphological characteristics of the quadriceps tendon and the patellar ligament are of prime
importance for this purpose. Objectives: This cadaveric study was undertaken to evaluate the
morphometric characteristics of the quadriceps tendon and patellar ligament as an autograft for
ACL reconstructive surgery. Study design: Qualitative cadaveric study. Material and methods:
The morphometric observations of the quadriceps tendon and patellar ligament on 36 (18 male
and 18 female) adult formalin fixed cadavers were recorded by dissection. The observations
included the length, breadth and thickness of the quadriceps tendon and the patellar ligament
and were recorded on both sides separately in the male and female subjects. The data were
tabulated, compared and statistically analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference
in measurements on the right and left sides both in the male and in the female specimens.
However the length and width of the quadriceps tendon was more in the males as compared
to the females. The patellar ligament was significantly longer in the male specimens as was
its width. Thickness of the patellar ligament, however, was not significantly different in the two
genders. Conclusion: Both the quadriceps tendon and the patellar ligament are safe and
convenient sources of autograft tissue for reconstruction of the ACL.