The Outcomes of Female Soccer Players Undergoing ACL Reconstruction with Quadriceps Tendon Vs Patellar Tendon Autografts - Abstract
Purpose: The purpose is to compare functional outcomes, return to soccer rates, and revision rates in an all-female soccer player cohort undergoing uadriceps tendon (QT) autograft ACLR versus bone- patellar tendon- bone (BPTB) autograft ACLR. Methods: Female soccer players who sustained an ACL rupture and underwent primary anatomic, single-bundle ACLR with BPTB autograft or QT autograft were included. Demographic and surgical characteristics were collected. Outcomes of interest included Tegner score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Marx score, return to soccer rates, and failure rates. Results: Data on 23 patients undergoing BPTB autograft ACLR and 14 undergoing QT autograft ACLR was available. Average age was 18.7 years, and average follow up was 4.8 years. Overall, 76% (28/37) returned to soccer and 5.4% (2/37) underwent revision ACLR. No major significant differences were found in demographic or surgical characteristics. No differences were found in postoperative IKDC scores, preoperative, postoperative, or change from pre- to
postoperative Marx activity scores, or pre-and postoperative Tegner scores between the groups. QT autograft ACLR patients had significantly less change in Tegner scores pre- to postoperatively compared to the BTPB autograft ACLR group (0.6 + 1.2 versus 2.1 + 1.8; p = 0.02). Both groups had similar rates of return to soccer [78% (18/23) BPTB autograft ACLR versus 71% (10/14) QT autograft ACLR; p = 0.64]. Conclusion: BPTB autograft ACLR and QT autograft ACLR produced comparable, successful functional and return to soccer outcomes in this all-female soccer player cohort study. Larger, prospective studies are needed to improve the strength of conclusions and provide more information on the optimal graft choice for female soccer players. Study Design: Cohort Study, Level IIIClinical Relevance: Surgeons can use the results of this study to counsel female soccer players on graft options and expected outcomes after ACLR with QT or BPTB autografts.