Which graft is better the semitendinosus or the patellar tendon?
The choice of a graft is immaterial. The outcome of the ACL reconstruction depends not so much on the type of graft, but on the technique of placing the graft in the correct position, the fixation of the graft and the post op rehabilitation. Because of the minimum harvest site morbidity, the commonest graft use in our sports clinic is the hamstring graft. The patellar tendon graft is used for the athlete who wants to return to sports early, for example at 3 months. The earlier return to activities is based on the faster healing of the bone to bone healing of the patellar tendon graft compared to the tendon to bone healing with the hamstring graft. The latter may take as long as 3 months to heal. What about synthetic grafts? We are not routinely using synthetic materials to substitute for the ACL, because of the higher incidence of failure. These materials are indicated in special situations, such as multiple ligament injuries or some re-operations. What about the allograft? (the graft
