All inside full thickness quadriceps tendon ACL reconstruction: Long term follow up results

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate results of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL) using an All-Inside Full Thickness Quadriceps Reconstruction technique at 5 years follow up. METHODS: This is a Retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing ACL reconstruction. Inclusion criteria for this report were isolated primary ACL reconstructions without chondral lesions (Grade III/IV Outerbridge), using autologous full-thickness quadriceps tendon (FQT) graft with bone block, with an “all-inside” technique. Functional scales of Lysholm, IKDC, Tegner and objective results of side to side difference (KT1000) were used for this evaluation. Additionally, complications and comorbidities were also analyzed. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-one ACL reconstructions were retrospectively reviewed at 5 years postoperatively; 268 (92.1%) were men and 23 (7.90%) women. Lysholm Score improved from 64 (SD = 6.09) to 91 (SD = 6.05) points average. IKDC showed 59.79%, excellent and 3.4% good results. Arthrometric analysis showed that 259 knees (89%) had a difference of less than 3 mm. Median pre-injury Tegner score was 9 (Range 4–10), while final median Tegner activity level at 5 years was 8 (Range 4–10). Among comorbidities, 5.15% of the patients presented anterior knee pain. No visualization difficulties or significant hematomas were found. CONCLUSION: Use of all inside FQT for ACL reconstruction in a young, high demand sports population, present at 5 years, good to excellent results, functionally and objectively, with low rates of complications and comorbidities.