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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
Biomechanical Testing of Murine Tendons
Published on: October 15, 2019
Anthropometry of the patellar tendon in Chinese
K M S Luk1, N M Wong, J C K Cheng
1Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong. lmskaren@yahoo.com.hk
Purpose:
To assess the length of the patellar tendon in Chinese and its correlation with patient age, gender, and operated side.
Methods:
109 men and 11 women aged 15 to 45 (mean, 25) years underwent arthroscopic bone-tendon-bone reconstruction for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficiency. 55 (46%) injured the left side, and 65 (54%) the right side. Each patient's age, gender, and operated side were recorded. The length of the patellar tendon harvested was measured.
Results:
The mean length of the patellar tendon graft was 42.6 (standard deviation, 4.6; range, 30-54) mm. There was no correlation between the length of the patellar tendon and patient's age (p=0.147), gender (p=0.076), or operated side (p=0.466).
Conclusion:
The length of the patellar tendon in the Chinese is comparable to that in Caucasians. Because of the shorter ACL but similar patellar tendon length, graft-tunnel mismatch may be more common in Chinese than Caucasian patients.
