2021 Annual Meeting Knee Access Pass-Debate: The Soft Tissue ACL

Debate: The Soft Tissue ACL - Hamstring Is Battle Tested

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker discusses ACL reconstruction graft choices, highlighting hamstring grafts, especially the quadrupled semitendinosus (graft link) technique, as superior due to retention ability and less anterior knee pain compared to bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB). The graft link preserves the gracilis, allowing better hamstring strength and healing via suspensory fixation. Studies show comparable stability and patient outcomes to BTB, with lower anterior knee pain and acceptable re-tear rates in young athletes. In contrast, quadriceps tendon grafts show higher arthrofibrosis, extensor weakness, and revision rates. Overall, hamstring grafts remain reliable and advantageous, while quadriceps grafts require further development.

Asset Caption

Dr. Patrick Smith | ACL Graft and Revision

Keywords

ACL reconstruction

hamstring graft

semitendinosus graft

anterior knee pain

quadriceps tendon graft