Knee strength deficits following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction differ between quadriceps and hamstring tendon autografts

Purpose To compare patient reported outcomes and functional knee recovery following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using either a quadriceps tendon (QT) or hamstring tendon (HT) autograft. Methods Thirty-five QT patients (age 20; range 15–34 years) participated in this study and were matched for gender, age and pre-injury activity level to 70 HT (age 20; range 15–32 years) patients. The following assessments were performed at 6 and 12 months post-operatively; standardized patient-reported outcome measures (IKDC, KOOS-QOL, ACL-RSI, Marx activity, anterior knee pain), knee range of motion (passive and active), anterior knee laxity, hop tests (single and triple crossover hop for distance), and isokinetic strength of the knee extensors and flexors. All dependent variables were analysed using a two-way mixed ANOVA model, with within (Time; 6 and 12 months) and between-subject (Graft; QT and HT) factors. Results Patient reported outcome measures and hop performance improved between 6 and 12 months ( p