Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using a quadriceps tendon autograft.
Type of study: A case series of patients who had received arthroscopic ACL reconstructions using quadriceps tendon autograft was retrospectively evaluated.
Methods: Sixty-seven ACL reconstructions were evaluated at a mean of 41 months (range, 27 to 49 months). Clinical assessment was made using a modified Lysholm score, documentation of International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), the anterior knee pain questionnaire of Shelbourne and Trumper, and by KT-2000 arthrometric analysis. Isokinetic strength testing and radiographic assessments were also performed.
Results: Arthrometric analysis showed that 63 knees (94%) were graded A or B with a median laxity of 2 mm postoperatively. The Lysholm score improved postoperatively from 71 to 90 ( P < or = .05). Extension peak torque of the quadriceps muscle recovered to 82% and 89% of that of the contralateral knee at 180 degrees/second at 1 year and 2 years after surgery, respectively. The patellar position in terms of congruence angle and Insall-Salvati ratio did not show any significant change. Only 4 patients complained of moderate pain on kneeling and 1 patient complained of harvest-site tenderness.
Conclusions: ACL reconstruction using a quadriceps tendon autograft showed satisfactory results with reduced donor-site morbidities. The quadriceps tendon can be a reliable source of graft, and is comparable to bone-patellar tendon-bone or hamstring tendon in ACL reconstruction.
Level of evidence: Level IV, Case Series (no, or historical, control group).