Comparison of Arthrofibrosis After ACL Reconstruction According to Graft Choice: Quadriceps Tendon Versus...

Arthrofibrosis is a complication of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), and it is possible that graft choice such as the quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft may be a risk factor. With the increasing popularity of the QT autograft, it is important to compare it with other graft choices.

The purpose of this study was to identify whether graft choice, QT versus bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autograft, is a risk factor for early return to the operating room for arthrofibrosis after ACLR. It was hypothesized that the rate of arthrofibrosis surgery would be higher for the QT autograft recipients.

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

A single-center retrospective chart review was conducted between January 2010 and November 2022. Skeletally mature patients who underwent primary ACLR with either QT or BTB autograft were considered for inclusion. Patients who received an alternate graft or those undergoing revision ACLR were excluded. The primary outcome of interest was return to the operating room for arthrofibrosis release (either manipulation under anesthesia or lysis of adhesions).

Of 1726 included patients (1155 receiving a BTB autograft and 571 receiving a QT autograft), 5.2% (n = 60) of BTB recipients and 6.5% (n = 37) of QT recipients required subsequent arthrofibrosis. There was no significant association between graft type and subsequent arthrofibrosis (P = .275). There was a significant association with graft type and presence of a cyclops lesion (65.0% of BTB grafts and 40.5% of QT grafts; P = .018). After removing those patients with chronic tears who underwent ACLR at >1 year, patients who required arthrofibrosis were found to have a significantly shorter time between injury and ACLR (mean, 59.23 ± 48.46 days) than those who did not require arthrofibrosis (mean, 81.7 ± 72.63 days) (P≤ .01). Significantly more female patients (9.25%) than male patients (2.79%) required arthrofibrosis (hazard ratio, 3.82; P < .001), and patients who required arthrosis were significantly younger (mean, 22.52 ± 9.35 years) than those who did not (mean, 25.74 ± 10.83 years) (P = .001).

Study findings indicated no statistically significant difference in the rate of secondary arthrofibrosis surgery between patients who underwent ACLR with either QT or BTB autograft.