ACL Grafts: Autografts in detail
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is a common injury among athletes, and autograft surgery is one of the treatments available to address this issue. There are different types of ACL autograft surgeries, which can be categorized based on the source of the graft material. Here are some of the most common types of ACL autograft surgeries:
Patellar tendon autograft: In this procedure, the surgeon removes a portion of the patellar tendon (a tendon located in the front of the knee) along with a small piece of bone from the kneecap and the tibia. This tendon is then used to replace the torn ACL.
Hamstring tendon autograft: In this procedure, the surgeon takes a portion of the hamstring tendons (located at the back of the knee) and uses them to replace the damaged ACL.
Quadriceps tendon autograft: This procedure involves taking a portion of the quadriceps tendon (located above the patella) and using it to replace the torn ACL.
Bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autograft: In this procedure, the surgeon removes a section of the patellar tendon along with a small piece of bone from the patella and the tibia. This graft is then used to replace the damaged ACL.
It is important to note that the choice of autograft surgery depends on several factors, such as the patient's age, activity level, and the severity of the ACL injury. Medical references can provide more detailed information on the advantages and disadvantages of each type of autograft surgery and help guide the decision-making process.