Near-normal ultrasound morphology in quadriceps tendon after anterior cruciate ligament graft harvest.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft is increasingly used for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) due to favourable clinical outcomes. However, the long-term morphological and vascular changes at the QT harvest site remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate QT morphology and vascularity using ultrasound at least 1 year after ACLR.

Methods

Thirty-five patients who underwent ACLR with a QT autograft were prospectively evaluated at a mean of 3.4 ± 3.5 years post-operatively. Surgical technique was not standardized with respect to harvest thickness or bone block inclusion. Ultrasound was used to assess anterior-to-posterior (A-P) thickness, medial-to-lateral (M-L) width, cross-sectional area (CSA) and echogenicity of the QT in both knees at 15, 30, 45 and

SUBMITTER: Inoue J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12560256 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature