Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Harvesting of Peroneus Longus Tendon Autograft
Published on: September 2, 2025
Soft-tissue quadriceps tendon autograft during primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in
1Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, McMaster University, 1200 Main St West, 4E15, Hamilton, ON, L8N 3Z5, Canada. ayenif@mcmaster.ca.
Background:
ACL tears in skeletally-immature patients are often treated surgically using soft-tissue autografts to offset increased risks of cartilage, meniscus and physeal injuries. Despite technological innovation, there remains a high failure rate among active young patients. We present a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the soft-tissue quadriceps autograft compared to the standard hamstring autograft to treat primary ACL tears in the pediatric population.
Methods:
This international RCT will evaluate 352 skeletally-immature patients between the ages of 10-18 years undergoing primary ACL reconstruction to compare the effect of hamstring versus soft-tissue quadriceps autografts on ACL failure rate as a primary outcome, and return to sport, knee function, knee pain, health-related quality of life and health utility, range of motion and stability, and other adverse events at 24 months as secondary outcomes. Follow-up will occur at 6 weeks and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively.
Discussion:
This trial will inform the optimal primary surgical management for ACL injuries as it pertains to all soft-tissue graft selection, to not only reduce the relatively high failure rates, but also improve the function and return-to-sports in this young, active population.
Trial Registration:
This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03896464) on March 27th, 2019.
