Strength deficits and flexion range of motion following primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction differ between quadriceps and hamstring autografts.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with a quadriceps tendon (QT) could achieve faster postoperative recovery compared with hamstring tendon (HT) ACL reconstruction.

METHODS

Thirty-seven QT patients were matched for gender, age and preinjury activity level with 74 HT patients. A 6-month postoperative assessment included standardised reported outcome measures: patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) (International Knee Documentation Committee-subjective knee evaluation form, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-knee related quality of life subscale, ACL-Return to Sport after Injury scale, Marx activity scale, anterior knee pain), range of motion (active, standing and passive), anterior knee laxity testing, hop tests (single and triple crossover hop for distance) and isokinetic strength testing of the knee extensors and flexors. T-tests or Mann Whitney U tests were used to compare data between groups.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two groups for any of the PROMs. The HT group had reduced active and standing knee flexion range compared with the QT group (p<0.001). Isokinetic strength testing showed significant deficits in limb symmetry indices for both concentric hamstring peak torque at 60°/s (p<0.001) and 180°/s (p=0.01) in the HT group. There were significantly greater deficits in limb symmetry indices for concentric quadriceps peak torque at 60°/s (p<0.001) and 180°/s (p=0.001) in the QT group.

CONCLUSION

The QT graft does not appear to offer a more rapid recovery in terms of knee symptoms or function which could have allowed for faster progression to the dynamic phases of rehabilitation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.