Higher Rate of Return to Preinjury Activity Levels After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With a Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Versus Hamstring Tendon Autograft in High-Activity Patients: Results From the New Zealand ACL Registry

Background: In primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, a bone–patellar tendon–bone (BTB) autograft is associated with lower ipsilateral failure rates. BTB autografts are associated with a higher rate of contralateral ACL injuries, which some clinicians view as a marker of success of the BTB autograft. However, there is a lack of evidence on whether BTB autografts improve the rate of return to activity and sport. Purpose: To compare the rate of return to preinjury activity levels in high-activity patients after ACL reconstruction with BTB autograft or hamstring tendon autograft. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: In a high-activity cohort of patients recorded between 2014 and 2018 in the New Zealand ACL Registry, prospectively collected data on preinjury and postoperative Marx activity scores were analyzed. The proportion of patients who returned to their preinjury activity levels at 1- and 2-year follow-up was compared between graft types. Results: Overall, 11.3% (208/1844) of patients returned to their preinjury activity levels at 1-year follow-up, and 15.5% (184/1190) returned at 2-year follow-up. At 1-year follow-up, 17.2% of patients with a BTB autograft returned to their preinjury activity levels compared with 9.3% of patients with a hamstring tendon autograft (adjusted odds ratio, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.16-2.17]; P = .004). At 2-year follow-up, 23.3% of patients with a BTB autograft had returned to their preinjury activity levels compared with 13.3% of patients with a hamstring tendon autograft (adjusted odds ratio, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.14-2.34]; P = .008). Male sex and younger age were associated with a higher rate of return to activity at both follow-up time points. Conclusion: The use of BTB autografts increased the odds of returning to preinjury activity levels at early follow-up. A higher rate of return to activity is a possible explanation for the higher rate of contralateral ACL injuries with the use of BTB autografts.

MRI Signal Intensity of Quadriceps Tendon Autograft and Hamstring Tendon Autograft 1 Year After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Adolescent Athletes

Background: Hamstring tendon autograft (HTA) is a common graft choice for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) in skeletally immature patients. Recently, the use of quadriceps tendon autograft (QTA) has shown superior preliminary outcomes in this population. Purpose: To evaluate graft maturity by comparing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal intensity of HTA versus QTA used in primary ACLR. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All patients under the age of 18 years who underwent a primary ACLR by the senior authors using either an HTA or a QTA were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 70 skeletally immature patients (37 in the HTA group and 33 in the QTA group) with an available MRI at 6 and 12 months postoperatively were included. Signal intensity ratio (SIR) was measured on sagittal MRI by averaging the signal at 3 regions of interest along the ACL graft and dividing by the signal of the tibial footprint of the posterior cruciate ligament. Statistical analysis was performed to determine interrater reliability and differences between time points and groups. Results: Age, sex, and type of surgery were not associated with any differences in SIR. There was no significant difference in SIR between groups on the 6-month MRI. However, the SIR of the QTA group was significantly less than in the HTA group on the 12-month MRI (2.33 vs 2.72, respectively; P = .028). Within the HTA group, there was no significant difference in SIR at either MRI time point. In the QTA group, there was a significant decrease in SIR between the 6-month and 12-month postoperative MRI (2.70 vs 2.33, respectively; P = .045). Conclusion: These findings suggest improved graft maturation, remodeling, and structural integrity of the QTA compared with the HTA between 6 and 12 months postoperatively. This provides evidence that, at 1 year postoperatively, QTA may have a superior rate of incorporation and synovialization as compared with the HTA.

Adolescents Have Twice the Revision Rate of Young Adults After ACL Reconstruction With Hamstring Tendon Autograft: A Study From the Swedish National Knee Ligament Registry

Background: Previous studies have identified young age as a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) revision. However, few studies have looked separately at pediatric patients and adolescents with regard to outcomes after ACL reconstruction. Purpose: To determine whether patient age at ACL reconstruction affects the risk of undergoing revision surgery in young patients. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This study was based on data from the Swedish National Knee Ligament Registry. Patients aged 5 to 35 years who underwent a primary ACL reconstruction with a hamstring tendon autograft between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2015, were included. The cohort was stratified into different age groups of pediatric patients, adolescents, and young adults to estimate patients with open, recently closed, and closed epiphyses, respectively. The primary endpoint was ACL revision. A multivariable Cox regression model was used to assess the ACL revision rate. The results were expressed as hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs. Results: A total of 36,274 ACL reconstructions were registered during the study period. Of these, 2848 patients were included in the study: 47 pediatric patients (mean age, 13.6 years; range, 9-15 years), 522 adolescents (mean age, 17.4; range, 14-19 years), and 2279 young adults (mean age, 27.0; range, 20-35 years). A total of 31 patients (1.1%) underwent ACL revision within 2 years (0 pediatric patients, 9 adolescents [1.7%], and 22 young adults [1.0%]) and a total of 53 patients (2.6%) underwent ACL revision within 5 years (2 pediatric patients [6.9%], 15 adolescents [3.9%], and 36 young adults [2.2%]). The adolescent age group had a 1.91 times higher rate of ACL revision compared with the young adults (HR = 1.91 [95% CI, 1.13-3.21]; P = .015). There were no differences in revision rates between the pediatric age group and the young adults (HR = 2.93 [95% CI, 0.88-9.79]; P = .081). Conclusion: Adolescents had almost twice the rate of revision ACL reconstruction compared with young adults.

Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using single bundle hamstring tendon autograft

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The present study was designed to analyze the postoperative outcome of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with anatomical single bundle hamstring tendons autograft fixed in femoral tunnel using endobutton and in the tibial tunnel using interference screws and reinforced by anterior half of peroneus longus tendon (AHPLT), wherever required.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> 39 patients of complete ACL tear underwent arthroscopic anatomical single bundle ACL reconstruction using quadrupled hamstring tendon autograft. It was ensured that the quadrupled graft had a length of at least 7 cm and thickness of at least 8 mm. If either of these requirements were not met, then the graft was supplemented by AHPLT. For functional assessment, international knee documentation committee (IKDC) knee score was taken and clinical tests for antero-posterior stability were done. In addition, the foot and ankle disability index (FADI) scores were used to evaluate the ankle donor site of the AHPLT.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The average graft diameter was 8.74 mm and average graft length was 9.12 cm. There was significant improvement in post op IKDC score when compared with pre op score. There was no antero-posterior instability seen in any of the patients during follow up. 10 patients required an additional graft augmentation with AHPLT. There was no complaint about weakness of the ankle joint after surgery.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with anatomical single bundle hamstring tendon autograft is an excellent treatment option for ACL deficient knees. It gives excellent functional outcome with minimal complications. Graft if small in diameter can be reinforced by AHPLT without any detrimental effect on ankle function.</p>

Remnant Muscle Preservation on Hamstring Tendon Autograft During ACL Reconstruction Promotes Volumetric Increase With Biological and Regenerative Potential

Background: The removal of all adherent muscle tissue from the hamstring graft during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is common practice. However, there is a paucity of research to justify this removal or evaluate its biological implications. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to (1) evaluate the histological characteristics of the myotendinous muscle tissue harvested from hamstring tendons, (2) compare the final diameter of the prepared graft before and after the removal of the remnant musculature, and (3) evaluate patients who were treated with and without preservation of the graft-adhered muscle. The hypothesis was that the adherent musculature of the graft would have cells that could contribute to graft incorporation and revascularization, assist in the proprioceptive capacity of the neoligament, and increase the graft’s diameter. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We divided 84 patients into 2 groups: group 1 underwent ACLR using hamstring tendon autograft with adherent musculature, and group 2 underwent ACLR using hamstring tendon autograft stripped of its remnant muscle. All patients had minimum 2-year follow-up. The muscle harvested from the graft in group 2 was submitted for histological examination, and the graft diameter before and after muscle removal was compared. The Tegner activity scale and Lysholm scores were determined preoperatively and at 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Results: There was a significant difference in graft diameter between groups. The evaluation of the graft diameter in group 2 showed a decrease of 11.52% after removal of muscle tissue from the tendon graft. Patients from group 1 had better Tegner and Lysholm scores (mean ± SD) after 12 months (Tegner, 8.03 vs 7 [ P = .004]; Lysholm, 95.48 ± 1.2 vs 87.54 ± 3.21 [ P = .002]) and better Lysholm scores after 24 months (95.76 ± 2.1 vs 89.32 ± 2.47; P = .002). The muscle tissue of the analyzed fragments presented a pattern with fibrous tissue beams, invaginating regularly and sequentially from the myotendinous junction into the muscles. Conclusion: Preserving the muscle tissue on tendon grafts promoted a volumetric increase in the final autograft diameter and demonstrated biological and regenerative potential. Patients who underwent ACLR using the tendon with the muscle attached had better functional scores at 2-year follow-up as compared with patients treated using the tendon with the muscle removed.

Evaluating the results of an all-inside arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using hamstring tendon autograft

Introduction: The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are important to ensure the stability of the knee joint. Both PCL and ACL can be injured, but PCL injuries are much less common than ACL injuries. In order to summarize the experience and improve the quality of treatment, we conducted the research with the aim is to evaluate the results of arthroscopic all-inside posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using hamstring tendon autograft. Materials and methods: From June 2018 to December 2019, all patients who had posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) rupture treated with all-inside arthroscopy PCL reconstructions using semitendinous and gracilis autograft at the Joint Surgery Department of 108 Military Central Hospital were enrolled. The results were evaluated according to the Lysholm - Gilquist and IKDC - 2000 score. Results: 28 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 34,1 years (range: 20 – 55 years old), the mean follow-up time was 15,8 months, good results accounted for 35,7%, fair: 57,1%, average: 7,2%. Conclusions: In patients with PCL rupture, who were treated with arthroscopy PCL reconstruction by all - inside technique, the results were good prospects. However, it needs to assess more patients and to follow-up for long term.

Early Outcomes of Adolescent ACL Reconstruction With Hybrid Hamstring Tendon Autograft-Allograft Versus Hamstring Tendon Autograft Alone

Background: Small-diameter semitendinosus-gracilis tendon autografts may be encountered intraoperatively during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR); these have been shown to be at increased risk of graft rupture. One option that surgeons have pursued to reduce the theoretical failure rate of these smaller-diameter grafts is augmenting them with allograft material, thereby forming a larger-diameter hybrid autograft-allograft construct. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes in adolescent athletes of primary ACLR using a hybrid autologous hamstring tendon and soft tissue allograft construct versus ACLR using small-diameter hamstring tendon autograft. The hypothesis was that the hybrid hamstring autograft-allograft construct would provide superior short-term results. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 47 patients aged between 12 and 20 years who underwent hybrid graft ACLR (mean diameter, 9.1 mm) at a single institution. Electronic medical records including clinic notes, radiographic images, operative notes, and pathology reports were reviewed for study analysis. A control group of 64 patients who underwent small-diameter hamstring reconstruction (mean diameter, 7.1 mm) without allograft supplementation was compiled. Corresponding clinical, radiographic, and surgical characteristics were collected for the control group to allow for comparative analysis. Results: Mean follow-up was 2.7 years for the hybrid cohort and 2.3 years for the control group. Despite a significantly larger mean graft diameter in the hybrid group as compared with the control group ( P < .001), no significant difference in retear rate was seen between cohorts (hybrid, 9%; control, 13%; P = .554). Patients with hybrid anterior cruciate ligament constructs also underwent a comparable number of reoperations overall ( P = .838). Functionally, all patients with adequate follow-up returned to sports, with no significant difference in time to return to sports between the groups ( P = .213). Radiographically, hybrid graft constructs did not undergo a significantly larger degree of tunnel lysis ( P = .126). Conclusion: A cohort of adolescents with hybrid anterior cruciate ligament grafts was shown to have retear rates and overall clinical results comparable with those of a control group that received small-diameter hamstring tendon autografts alone.