Comparative Results of Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Autologous Quadriceps Tendon-bone Versus Bone-patellar Tendon-bone

ABSTRACT

PURPOSES: We analyzed the comparative results of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the autologous quadriceps tendon-bone versus the bone-patellar tendon-bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients with ACL reconstruction using the autologous quadriceps tendon-patellar bone were evaluated (group 1). Control group were 33 patients underwent ACL reconstruction with autologous bone-patellar tendon-bone in similar period (group 2). The mean age was 29.7 years in group 1 and 23.5 years in group 2. The mean follow-up period was 20.8 months in group 1, and 21.8 months in group 2. We selected the patient with the similar age, conditions and operation methods. But group 1 with bone-to-tendon graft healing at one side was delayed rehabilitation program than group 2 (bone-to-bone healing). The final evaluation were range of motion, anterior knee pain, Lachman test, KT-2000 arthrometer, Lysholm score, IKDC evaluation, one-leg hop muscle function test. Student ttest was used for statistical analysis (p 0.05). According to the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) rating system, normal were 30.3%, nearly normal 57.6%, abnormal 12.1% in group 1, and in group 2 normal was 24.3%, nearly normal was 63.6%, abnormal 12.1%. There were no statistical differences in normal and nearly normal rate between two groups (p> 0.05). Recovery of quadriceps strength by one-leg hop test was 78% of the normal knee in group 1, and 80% in group 2 (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences of clinical results in ACL reconstruction using between quadriceps tendon-bone and bone-patellar tendon-bone, but anterior knee pain. We consider that autologous quadriceps tendon-bone is a good alternative substitute in ACL reconstruction together with the bone-patellar tendon-bone.