Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of graft size on patient‐reported outcomes and revision risk after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods A retrospective chart review of prospectively collected cohort data was performed, and 263 of 320 consecutive patients (82.2%) undergoing primary ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft were evaluated. We recorded graft size; femoral tunnel drilling technique; patient age, sex, and body mass index at the time of ACL reconstruction; Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and International Knee Documentation Committee score preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively; and whether each patient underwent revision ACL reconstruction during the 2‐year follow‐up period. Revision was used as a marker for graft failure. The relation between graft size and patient‐reported outcomes was determined by multiple linear regression. The relation between graft size and risk of revision was determined by dichotomizing graft size at 8 mm and stratifying by age. Results After we controlled for age, sex, operative side, surgeon, body mass index, graft choice, and femoral tunnel drilling technique, a 1‐mm increase in graft size was noted to correlate with a 3.3‐point increase in the KOOS pain subscale ( P = .003), a 2.0‐point increase in the KOOS activities of daily living subscale ( P = .034), a 5.2‐point increase in the KOOS sport/recreation function subscale ( P = .004), and a 3.4‐point increase in the subjective International Knee Documentation Committee score ( P = .026). Revision was required in 0 of 64 patients (0.0%) with grafts greater than 8 mm in diameter and 14 of 199 patients (7.0%) with grafts 8 mm in diameter or smaller ( P = .037). Among patients aged 18 years or younger, revision was required in 0 of 14 patients (0.0%) with grafts greater than 8 mm in diameter and 13 of 71 patients (18.3%) with grafts 8 mm in diameter or smaller. Conclusions Smaller hamstring autograft size is a predictor of poorer KOOS sport/recreation function 2 years after primary ACL reconstruction. A larger sample size is required to confirm the relation between graft size and risk of revision ACL reconstruction. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.
Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of graft size on patient‐reported outcomes and revision risk after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods A retrospective chart review of prospectively collected cohort data was performed, and 263 of 320 consecutive patients (82.2%) undergoing primary ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft were evaluated. We recorded graft size; femoral tunnel drilling technique; patient age, sex, and body mass index at the time of ACL reconstruction; Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and International Knee Documentation Committee score preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively; and whether each patient underwent revision ACL reconstruction during the 2‐year follow‐up period. Revision was used as a marker for graft failure. The relation between graft size and patient‐reported outcomes was determined by multiple linear regression. The relation between graft size and risk of revision was determined by dichotomizing graft size at 8 mm and stratifying by age. Results After we controlled for age, sex, operative side, surgeon, body mass index, graft choice, and femoral tunnel drilling technique, a 1‐mm increase in graft size was noted to correlate with a 3.3‐point increase in the KOOS pain subscale ( P = .003), a 2.0‐point increase in the KOOS activities of daily living subscale ( P = .034), a 5.2‐point increase in the KOOS sport/recreation function subscale ( P = .004), and a 3.4‐point increase in the subjective International Knee Documentation Committee score ( P = .026). Revision was required in 0 of 64 patients (0.0%) with grafts greater than 8 mm in diameter and 14 of 199 patients (7.0%) with grafts 8 mm in diameter or smaller ( P = .037). Among patients aged 18 years or younger, revision was required in 0 of 14 patients (0.0%) with grafts greater than 8 mm in diameter and 13 of 71 patients (18.3%) with grafts 8 mm in diameter or smaller. Conclusions Smaller hamstring autograft size is a predictor of poorer KOOS sport/recreation function 2 years after primary ACL reconstruction. A larger sample size is required to confirm the relation between graft size and risk of revision ACL reconstruction. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.