Soft tissue allografts for knee reconstruction in sports medicine

Soft tissue allografts are an important substitute tissue for the reconstruction of deficient ligaments, torn menisci, and osteochondral defects during knee surgery. Interest in allografts for soft tissue reconstruction has arisen from the demand to obtain a stable knee with restoration of function and protection against additional injury. Use of allografts for soft tissue reconstruction is associated with less donor tissue site morbidity and reduced surgical time. Nevertheless, use of allografts has a potential for disease transmission, delayed graft incorporation, and host versus donor immunologic response to the graft. Experimental studies and animal models have provided information about the biologic aspects of graft incorporation and remodeling and have contributed to the development of methods of graft preparation and transplantation. Clinical studies of allograft transplantation in humans have helped to define surgical indications and techniques and have allowed for the assessment of clinical outcome. The current authors review the current literature concerning the basic and clinical principles of soft tissue allografts for knee reconstruction, and underscore the scientific basis for the clinical application of allograft tissue during knee surgery.