When Does Quadriceps ACL Graft Mature?
January 14, 2026
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3 min
5 Key Takeaways
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1
Study on quadriceps tendon autografts for ACL reconstruction.
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2
19 young athletes aged 13-19 participated in the study.
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3
Signal intensity elevated at 3 and 6 months, normalizing by 12 months.
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4
Significant findings in proximal graft regions.
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5
Limitations: small cohort, lack of histologic validation.
A recent study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine evaluated the signal intensity (SI) of quadriceps tendon autografts post-anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in 19 young amateur athletes. The study found significantly elevated SI at 3 and 6 months after surgery, which normalized by 12 months. This suggests that while early changes in graft healing are significant, they approach native ligament values with time. Despite important findings, the study limitations included a small, predominantly female cohort and absence of histology validation.
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