Skip to main content
International Orthopaedics logoLink to International Orthopaedics
. 1997 May;21(2):93–97. doi: 10.1007/s002640050127

Graft selection in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction – prospective analysis of patellar tendon autografts compared with allografts

J Victor 1, J Bellemans 2, E Witvrouw 3, K Govaers 2, G Fabry 2
PMCID: PMC3616660  PMID: 9195261

Summary.

A prospective study of 73 arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using either a patellar tendon autograft or an allograft was made to assess any difference in clinical outcome. Allocation was by availability of an allograft. There were 48 autografts and 25 allografts. Evaluation was by clinical examination and physical tests. At follow-up 2 years after operation, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in mobility or in physical tests, but KT-1000 evaluation showed a slightly greater anterior translation in the autografts at 6 months and one year, although at 2 years the allografts developed greater anterior laxity. Cybex testing showed greater quadriceps strength at 6 months and one year in the allografts, but at 2 years the strength was greater in the autografts. Re-rupture occurred in 3 allografts. ACL reconstruction with a patellar tendon allograft does not produce a significant functional deficit. Full quadriceps recovery takes 2 years. Allografts are not recommended as stability deteriorates with time.

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (174.0 KB).

Footnotes

Accepted: 12 July 1996


Articles from International Orthopaedics are provided here courtesy of Springer-Verlag

RESOURCES