Impact of Hamstring Graft Diameter on Tendon Strength: A Biomechanical Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the tensile strength of hamstring grafts of varying combined pull-through diameters within the clinically relevant range of 6 to 9 mm.

Methods: We tested 44 non-irradiated allograft hamstring grafts (11 per group). Combined looped semitendinosus and gracilis grafts were allocated to the 6-, 7-, 8-, or 9-mm group based on the smallest-diameter lumen that the graft could be "pulled through" using a surgical sizing instrument.