Research coverage
Quadriceps versus hamstring grafts in adolescent ACL reconstruction
What MRI signal showed about how the two graft types mature over the first year.
What it found
- The researchers compared MRI signal intensity in quadriceps tendon autografts against hamstring tendon autografts after primary ACL reconstruction, as a measure of how the graft was maturing.
- Signal fell between six and twelve months after surgery in the quadriceps grafts.
Presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine – Arthroscopy Association of North America Combined 2021 Annual Meeting.
In Dr. Green’s own words
The decrease in signal between six and 12 months post-operatively suggests quicker graft maturation and improved structural integrity of QTA [quadricep tendon autograft] as compared to HTA [hamstring tendon autograft]. This provides evidence that one year postoperatively, QTA may have a superior rate of incorporation and synovialization as compared to the HTA.
Applied Radiology · 12 July 2021. The study is by Dr. Green and Frank A. Cordasco, MD, MS. Read the original
The research behind it
The 6 most recent of his 13 papers on graft choice, indexed on PubMed under his Hospital for Special Surgery affiliation. Each opens on PubMed.
All 13 of his papers on this subject- Higher arterial supply in the distal quadriceps tendon: Results from 7-Tesla quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, histology and high-resolution computed tomography Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA · 2026 Mar · Dr. Green is author 12 of 12
- The Intra-articular Tendinous Graft Diameter of 10-mm Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Autografts in Adolescent Patients: An MRI Analysis of 100 Patients Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine · 2024 Aug · Dr. Green is author 5 of 8
- Quadriceps Tendon Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients: 3-Year Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes The American journal of sports medicine · 2024 Jul · Dr. Green is author 9 of 9
- Stepwise lengthening of quadriceps extensor mechanism for severe obligatory and fixed patella dislocators: Four-year clinical and surgical outcomes Journal of ISAKOS : joint disorders & orthopaedic sports medicine · 2024 Apr · Dr. Green is author 5 of 5
- Association of Quadriceps Tendon Harvest for ACL Reconstruction With Development of Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Patella in Pediatric Patients Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine · 2024 Feb · Dr. Green is author 7 of 7
- Association of Lateral Extra-Articular Tenodesis With Improved Graft Maturity on MRI 2 Years After ACL Reconstruction With Quadriceps Tendon Autograft in Skeletally Immature Athletes Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine · 2024 Jan · Dr. Green is author 5 of 5