Reconstruction of Chronic Proximal Hamstring Tear: Description of a Surgical Technique

Arthrosc Tech. 2021 Apr 18;10(5):e1307-e1313. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2021.01.028. eCollection 2021 May.

Abstract

While proximal hamstring tears at the myotendinous junction are common sports-related injuries that are often successfully treated nonoperatively, complete avulsions from the origin on the ischial tuberosity are less common and better treated with surgical repair to prevent significant functional limitations and ongoing weakness. The diagnosis can be easily missed, leading patients to present several months after the initial injury. In addition, some patients decide on nonoperative management initially but later present requesting surgical intervention. The delayed cases are challenging due to often significant tendon retraction, making direct repair difficult if not impossible. Techniques using allograft and autograft reconstruction have been described for this clinical situation. This Technical Note describes the use of 2 Achilles tendon allografts fixed via 5 suture anchors to reconstruct a chronic complete avulsion injury of the proximal hamstring with >5-cm retraction.