OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the difference of the mechanical behavior of bended tied (sewed) and not tied hamstring tendons in order to evaluate if it has any effective function. METHODS: Twenty-four fresh bovine digital tendons had been used. Alginate to determine the area of the tendon transversal section was used. Ten bovine tendons had been bended and tied following the manufacturer orientation, ten others pairs had not been tied. Claws had been developed for the grafts fixation to the universal machine, for the setting simulation. The superior one was characterized to be bipartite and to have controlled passage for the pins and the inferior claw is characterized to have alternating teeth. RESULTS: The maximum load of the not tied samples of the test was 849,4 N ± 386,8 the area was 30,4 mm² ± 7,7, and 29 ± 17 Mpa of tension. The tied ones had gotten maximum load of 871,8 N ± 484,9, area of 35 mm² ± 5,8, and 24 ± 10 Mpa of tension. It did not have statistical difference between the two groups (p>0,05). CONCLUSION: The probability distribution showed that with 400 N the not tied tendons represents 83,8% of trustworthiness and the tied ones represents 78,5%.
Anterior cruciate ligament; Femur; Orthopedic fixation device; Mechanics, tendons
