[Is it possible to predict the length of knee flexor tendons by anthropometry?].

Objective: To compare the anthropometric data and the sportive way of life with the hamstring tendons dimensions, prospectively, in order to create a rule to predetermine its dimensions.

Methods: General and anthropometric data were collected from 30 patients that were submitted to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. These data were correlated to the diameter and length of the hamstring tendons. The data collected were: height, weight, age, knee lesion side, body mass, sportive training level, femoral length, tibia length, thigh circumference, and knee circumference. The correlation was made by Pearson coefficient.

Results: Statistic significant correlation occurred only with height and tibia length versus the gracilis and semitendinous tendon length. Using linear regression the relations found could be expressed with the following formulas: semitendinous length = -2.276 + 0.177 x height; semitendinous length = 13.048 + 0.46 x tibia height; gracilis length = -9.413 + 0.207 x height; gracilis length = 7.036 + 0.583 x tibia height.

Conclusion: It is possible to predetermine hamstring tendons length through linear regression formulas before surgical intervention.