Abstract

Objective: To compare the bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) graft and semitendinous-gracilis (STG) tendon graft approaches in terms of post-surgery knee stability, knee functions, graft-site related morbidities and range of motion (ROM) among patients undergoing arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
Methodology: This prospective, open label, comparative trial was conducted at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, from January 2019 to July 2020. A total of 60 patients (30 in BPTB group and 30 in STG group) undergoing single incision arthroscopically assisted ACL reconstruction adopting either BPTB or hamstring auto graft without extra articular augmentation were enrolled.
Results: Mean age of patients was 28.58+6.18 years. Majority of the patients, 39(65.0%) had their left side affected. Daily living activities were the most frequent 32(53.3%) mode of injury. No statistically significant difference was noted among patients in terms of clinical stability, ROM and general symptoms except patellofemoral pain at 6 months (PTB=26.7% vs STG=3%, p=0.0114) and graft site morbidity at 1 year (PTB=16.7% vs. STG=0%, p=0.0200).
Conclusion: Hamstring tendon and patellar tendon graft approaches were found to have similar outcomes in terms of clinical stability, ROM and pain. Hamstring tendon approach had significantly less chance of graft site morbidity as well as anterior knee pain during follow up.

Key words: Anterior cruciate ligament, bone-patellar tendon-bone graft, semitendinous-gracilis tendon graft.