Arthroscopic transtibial single-bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using patellar tendon graft compared with hamstring tendon graft.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of arthroscopic transtibial single-bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autologous patellar tendon and hamstring tendon grafts.


METHODS
From 1998 to 2007, 59 patients with symptomatic isolated posterior cruciate ligament injury were included in this retrospective study. Twenty-five knees were reconstructed using bone-patellar tendon-bone graft, and 34 knees were reconstructed using hamstring graft. In both groups, surgical techniques were similar, except material of fixation screws. Patients were evaluated pre-operatively and post-operatively at the latest follow-up with several parameters, including symptoms, physical examination, outcome satisfaction, functional scores, radiography and complications.


RESULTS
Average follow-up period was 51.6 months in patellar tendon group and 51.1 months in hamstring tendon group. Significantly more kneeling pain (32 vs. 3 %), squatting pain (24 vs. 3 %), anterior knee pain (36 vs. 3 %), posterior drawer laxity and osteoarthritic change were shown in patellar tendon group than in hamstring tendon group post-operatively. No significant differences were found in other parameters between both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Several shortcomings, including anterior knee pain, squatting pain, kneeling pain and osteoarthritic change, have to be concerned when using patellar tendon autograft. In conclusion, hamstring tendon autograft may be a better choice for transtibial tunnel PCL reconstruction.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, 100 Tz-You 1st Road, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Yu-Chuan
YC
Lin
Shen-Kai
SK
Chen
Teng-Hsiang
TH
Liu
Yuh-Min
YM
Cheng
Paul Pei-Hsi
PP
Chou
D001182:Arthroscopy; D050376:Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Grafting; D006801:Humans; D016119:Posterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous