Primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in athletes: a 5-year follow up comparing patellar tendon versus hamstring tendon autograft

ACL reconstruction with quadruple hamstring graft (HT) as well as bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft (PT) is a frequent procedure in athletes after ACL rupture. Both techniques are reported to provide for satisfying results but only few articles compare both techniques.

Prospective evaluation was performed on 96 patients with isolated ACL rupture undergoing reconstruction with a HT or PT autograft by a single surgeon at our institution. Long time follow-up after five years included the IKDC and KOOS evaluation form as well as clinical assessment (ROM, Lachmann testing, KT-2000).

Comparing both methods revealed no significant differences regarding IKDC and KOOS. The KT-2000 arthrometer testing showed a slightly increased mean laxity in the HT group. There were no differences regarding harvest side symptoms comparing HT and PT as well as one and two incision technique. Kneeling pain was significantly less common after HT autograft.

HT as well as PT autograft achieve equally good clinical results in athletes at five year follow-up with no significant difference regarding knee stability. Although no difference concerning the harvest site was identified, HT seems to be favorable for patients who work in a kneeling position.