Near complete quadriceps tendon healing 2 years following harvest in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Purpose: Despite the recent increase in the use of quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR); however, there remains a paucity of literature evaluating the postoperative morphology of the QT. The present study aimed to determine the postoperative morphologic change of the QT at a minimum of 2 years following harvesting during ACLR.

Methods: Patients who underwent ACLR with QT autograft and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a minimum of 2 years following harvesting were retrospectively included in the study. The anterior-to-posterior (A-P) thickness, medial-to-lateral (M-L) width, cross-sectional area (CSA), and signal/noise quotient (SNQ) of the QT were assessed at 5 mm, 15 mm, and 30 mm proximal to the superior pole of the patella on MRI. The CSA was adjusted by the angle between the QT and the plane of the axial cut based on a cosine function (adjusted CSA). The A-P thickness, M-L width, adjusted CSA, and SNQ were compared pre- and postoperatively. In addition, defects or scar tissue formation in the harvest site were investigated on postoperative MRI.

Results: Thirty patients were recruited for the study. The mean duration between postoperative MRI and surgery was 2.8 ± 1.1 years. The mean A-P thickness was 10.3% and 11.9% larger postoperatively at 5 mm and 15 mm, respectively. The mean M-L width was 7.3% and 6.5% smaller postoperatively at 5 mm and 15 mm, respectively. There were no significant differences in the adjusted CSA between pre- and post-operative states (275.7 ± 71.6 mm vs. 286.7 ± 91.8 mm, n.s.). There was no significant difference in the postoperative change in the SNQ of the QT at all assessment locations. Defect or scar tissue formation at the harvest site was observed in 4 cases (13.3%), and 5 cases (16.6%), respectively.

Conclusion: At a minimum of 2 years following QT harvest during ACLR, the QT became slightly thicker and narrower (approximately 11% and 7%, respectively). While the current study demonstrates that QT re-harvesting can be considered due to nearly normalized tendon morphology, future histological and biomechanical studies are required to determine the re-harvesting potential of the QT.

Level Of Evidence: IV.