Patellar tendon vs. doubled semitendinosus and gracilis tendon for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

In a prospective study on ACL reconstruction we treated 17 patients with a "central third-bone-patellar tendon-bone" autograft (PT group) and 32 patie nts with a doubled semitendinosus/doubled gracilis autograft (HS group). Pa tients were reviewed at 6 weeks, and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively and the groups compared. Up till 6 months, the KT-1000 side-to-side differ ence was significantly greater in the HS group (P < 0.05) and at 6 and 12 m onths isokinetic hamstrings strength was lower (P < 0.05). No significant d ifferences were noted at any stage with respect to quadriceps strength, fun ctional scores, range of motion, or swelling.