Applied Radiology reports on a new HSS study that suggests a graft from the quadriceps may be superior to the standard hamstring graft for younger patients who required anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery by Daniel W. Green, MD, MS, FAAP, FACS, pediatric orthopedic surgeon, and Frank A. Cordasco, MD, MS, sports medicine surgeon.

The researchers evaluated graft maturity by comparing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal intensity of quadriceps tendon autografts and hamstring tendon autografts used in primary ACL reconstruction, and presented findings at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine - Arthroscopy Association of North America Combined 2021 Annual Meeting.

Dr. Green said, “The decrease in signal between six and 12 months post-operatively suggests quicker graft maturation and improved structural integrity of QTA [quadricep tendon autograft] as compared to HTA [hamstring tendon autograft]. This provides evidence that one year postoperatively, QTA may have a superior rate of incorporation and synovialization as compared to the HTA.”

Read the full article at Appliedradiology.com.