Arthroscopic Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: The Achilles Tendon Allograft versus the Quadriceps Tendon Allograft

Abstract

We aimed to compare and analyze the outcomes of arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction with the Achilles tendon allograft and the quadriceps tendon allograft. Twenty-nine patients who received the same procedure of arthroscopic PCL reconstruction within our inclusion criteria were reviewed retrospectively. There were 13 patients in the Achilles tendon allograft group and 16 patients in the quadriceps tendon allograft group. At least in 2 years of follow-up period, we evaluated the patients using the posterior drawer test, KT 2000 test, Lysholm knee scoring scale, Tegner activity scale score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee form score, and Telos stress radiography. Between the two groups, no differences were found in preoperative patient demographic factors (age, gender, mean time of surgery, average follow-up period, cause of injury, and combined injury) ( p > 0.05). Results of the posterior drawer test, KT 2000 test, Telos stress radiography, Lysholm score, Tegner activity score, and IKDC subjective score were not significantly different between the two groups at preoperative evaluation and after surgery ( p > 0.05). On comparing preoperative evaluation and follow-up after surgery, the Achilles tendon allograft group showed significant improvement in the results of the KT 2000 test, Telos stress radiology, and Lysholm score, whereas the quadriceps tendon allograft group showed significant improvement in the results of the KT 2000 test, Telos stress radiology, Lysholm score, Tegner activity score, and IKDC subjective score ( p < 0.05). The quadriceps tendon for arthroscopic PCL reconstruction is good alternative allograft for the Achilles tendon for arthroscopic PCL reconstruction. This is a retrospective comparative study.