Load-to-failure characteristics of patellar tendon allograft superior capsule reconstruction compared with the native superior capsule.

Background: The potential use of a patellar tendon allograft for superior capsular reconstruction has been demonstrated biomechanically; however, there are concerns regarding compromised fixation strength owing to the longitudinal orientation of the fibers in the patellar tendon. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the fixation strength of superior capsule reconstruction using a patellar tendon allograft to the intact superior capsule.

Methods: The structural properties of the intact native superior capsule (NSC) followed by superior capsular reconstruction using a patellar tendon allograft (PT-SCR) were tested in eight cadaveric specimens.