No difference in knee function or prevalence of osteoarthritis after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with 4-strand hamstring autograft versus patellar tendon-bone autograft: a randomized study with 10-year follow-up.
BACKGROUND
The choice of different graft types and surgical techniques used when reconstructing a torn anterior cruciate ligament may influence the long-term prevalence of osteoarthritis and functional outcomes.


OBJECTIVE
There are no differences in the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis or knee function in patients undergoing reconstruction of a torn anterior cruciate ligament with 4-strand hamstring autograft versus patellar tendon-bone autograft.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.


METHODS
Seventy-two patients with subacute or chronic rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament were randomly assigned to autograft reconstruction with 4-strand gracilis and semitendinosus tendon (HAM) (N = 37) or with patellar tendon-bone (PTB) (N = 35) from the ipsilateral side. Outcome measurements were the Cincinnati knee score, single-legged hop tests, isokinetic muscle strength tests, pain, knee joint laxity test (KT-1000 arthrometer), and a radiologic evaluation (Kellgren and Lawrence) at 10-year follow-up.


RESULTS
At 10 years, 57 patients (79%) were eligible for evaluation-29 in the HAM group and 28 in the PTB group. No differences were found between the 2 graft groups with respect to the Cincinnati knee score, the single-legged hop tests, pain, muscle strength measurements, or knee joint laxity. Fifty-five percent and 64% of the patients had osteoarthritis corresponding to Kellgren and Lawrence grade 2 or more in the HAM and the PTB groups, respectively (P =.27). For the uninvolved knee, the corresponding numbers were 28% and 22% (P = .62).


CONCLUSIONS
At 10 years postoperatively, no statistically significant differences in clinical outcome between the 2 graft types were found. The prevalence of osteoarthritis was significantly higher in the operated leg than in the contralateral leg, but there were no significant differences between the 2 groups. The results indicate that the choice of graft type after an anterior cruciate ligament injury has minimal influence on the prevalence of osteoarthritis 10 years after surgery.
Holm
Inger
I
Division of Rehabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway. inger.holm@rikshospitalet.no
Oiestad
Britt Elin
BE
Risberg
May Arna
MA
Aune
Arne Kristian
AK
D000328:Adult; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D050376:Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Grafting / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D007717:Knee / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000637:transplantation; D015995:Prevalence; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult