Effect of donor age on patellar tendon allograft ACL reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with patellar tendon allograft tissue is a common orthopedic procedure. It is unknown what effect, if any, the donor age has on clinical outcomes. Biomechanical studies have shown the strength of cadaveric patellar tendon to be independent of age, but no clinical studies have evaluated patient outcomes related to this variable. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of allograft donor age on clinical outcomes of patients undergoing allograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with patellar tendon allograft. Case logs were reviewed to identify primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with allograft patellar tendon by a single surgeon using a standard endoscopic transtibial technique with interference screw fixation. Revision and multiligamentous surgeries were excluded. Seventy-seven patients who met these criteria were identified. Allografts were fresh-frozen, aseptically harvested patellar tendons from a single tissue bank. The donor age was obtained. Clinical outcomes were obtained by contacting patients by telephone and retrospective chart review. Pre- and postoperative Lysholm and Tegner knee scores were used for comparison.Data from 75 patients with an average follow-up of 24 months were obtained. Average donor age was 44 years (range, 14-65 years), and average patient age was 37 years (range, 18-60 years). Statistical analysis of pre- and postoperative Lysholm scores demonstrated statistically significant improvement (P≤.001). Using donor age as a continuous variable, no effect was found on postoperative improvement in Lysholm score or Tegner score (P=.6).