Abstract
Shear modulus (μ) is directly correlated to the tissue stiffness and can predict the tendon ultimate force to failure. With the knee extended 0° (K0), semitendinosus tendon (ST) is tensioned while patellar tendon (PT) is relaxed. At 80o , knee flexion (K80) tendons present an opposite stress pattern; however, the relation between ST and PT μ in both situations was not studied yet. We accessed the μ of the ST and PT at 0o and 80o knee flexion by supersonic shear wave imaging (SSI) elastography from 18 healthy males. Relative μ indexes were calculated for relaxed and tensioned conditions. The average μ for ST was μST-K0 =197·62±31·93 kPa and μST-K80 =77·76±30·08. For TP, values were μTP-K0 =23·45±5·89 and μTP-K80 =113·92±57·23 kPa. Relative μ indexes were calculated for relaxed (IR=μST-K80 /μTP-K0 ) and tensioned conditions (IT=μST-K0 /μPT-K80 ). The relative μ indexes were IR=3·63±1·50 and IT=2·00±0·96 (P<0·05). Semitendinosus tendon μ was significantly higher than PT μ in both tensioned and relaxed positions. This can predict a higher ultimate force to failure and a less elastic behaviour in ST grafts when compared to PT grafts. This new parameter could aid physicians in graft choice previous to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
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