Quadriceps atrophy after partial resection of the patellar tendon: an experimental study in a rat model
Irie, K.; Inoue, K.; Kawai, M.
Orthopedics 21(7): 797-800
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0147-7447 PMID: 9672917 Document Number: 485409
Quadriceps muscle atrophy of rats was examined after resection of the central third (group 1) or the lateral two thirds (group 2) of the patellar tendon, the tensor fascia lata (group 3), or the medial hamstring (group 4). The quadriceps atrophied in groups 1 and 2, and more so in group 2, but there was no atrophy in groups 3 or 4. Thus, after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction procedure using the patellar tendon, resection of the patellar tendon itself leads to quadriceps atrophy and the extent of atrophy is related to the resected width.