title: Comparison of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using patellar tendon autograft or allograft.
abstract: Seventy-eight of 113 consecutive patellar tendon anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions (autograft, 47 of 66; allograft, 31 of 47) were evaluated at an average of 34 months. Reconstructions were compared with Lysholm and Tegner knee-rating scales, physical examination findings, instrumented laxity values, single-leg hop distances, and isokinetic strength results. Lysholm scores > or = 90 were achieved by 69% of autograft patients versus 67% of allograft patients. Desired Tegner activity scores were achieved by 80% of autograft patients versus 74% of allograft patients. Patellofemoral signs and symptoms were absent in 40% of autograft patients versus 44% of allograft patients. Side-to-side laxity differences < or = 3 mm were achieved in 80% of autograft patients versus 70% of allograft patients. Single-leg hop scores > or = 90% of the nonoperated leg were obtained in 76% of autograft patients versus 81% of allograft patients. Isokinetic results between groups were also similar. Traumatic ruptures were sustained by four allograft patients at an average of 11 months postoperatively compared with no traumatic ruptures in the autograft group (P = .011). This was the only difference of statistical significance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Stringham
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Pelmas
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Burks
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Marcus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000453:epidemiology; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D013997:Time Factors; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome