Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 16, Issue 4 251-255, Copyright © 1997 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Serial ultrasonographic imaging evaluation of the patellar tendon after harvesting its central one third for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
J. P. Wiley, R. C. Bray, D. A. Wiseman, P. D. Elliott, K. O. Ladly and L. A. Vale
University of Calgary Sport Medicine Centre, Alberta, Canada.
The purpose of this study was to assess ultrasonographic image changes in
the patellar tendon after removal of its central one third for anterior
cruciate ligament reconstruction. Fourteen patellar tendons in 14 patients
were assessed preoperatively and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 2 months, 6 months,
and 12 months postoperatively. With time, the entire donor tendon became
enlarged, hypoechoic, and inhomogeneous compared with the presurgical
state. Tendons enlarged maximally in anteroposterior thickness by 2 months
and then began to diminish, remaining two times their original
anteroposterior thickness by 12 months and never returning to their
preoperative appearance. The margins of the defect became indistinct over
time. In the donor patellar tendon, abnormal echogenicity was profound and
persisted up to 1 year after surgery. Ultrasonographic imaging has the
ability to evaluate the postoperative patellar tendon over time and to
monitor the normal changes seen with healing.