Knee muscle strength after ACL reconstruction with quadriceps versus hamstring grafts
Effect of Graft Type on Knee Muscle Strength Development After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
This study will see if using a quadriceps tendon or hamstring tendon graft leads to different early and mid-term knee muscle strength recovery in people aged 13–45 after ACL reconstruction.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 13 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hacettepe University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ankara) |
| Trial ID | NCT07523854 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective observational study at Hacettepe University comparing early and mid-term muscle strength recovery after ACL reconstruction using either a quadriceps tendon autograft or a hamstring tendon autograft. Thirty-four participants (17 per graft group) aged 13–45 with unilateral primary ACL tears and Tegner score ≥5 will be followed through standardized postoperative rehabilitation. Knee extensor and flexor strength will be measured serially with isometric testing at weeks 4, 8, and 12 and month 6, and with isokinetic concentric testing at months 3 and 6, while functional outcomes and kinesiophobia will be recorded at month 6 using IKDC, KOOS, and the Tampa Scale. The design aims to identify differences in early strength profiles and 6-month clinical outcomes between graft types.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are 13–45-year-olds undergoing unilateral primary ACL reconstruction with either a quadriceps or hamstring tendon autograft, who have a Tegner Activity Score of 5 or higher and can attend the follow-up visits and rehabilitation program.
Not a fit: Patients who receive patellar tendon grafts, allografts, revision or multiligament surgeries, or who have major cartilage, systemic, or neurologic disease are excluded and therefore are unlikely to benefit from these specific findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help surgeons and physiotherapists choose grafts or tailor rehabilitation to improve early strength recovery and return-to-function after ACL reconstruction.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has compared long-term outcomes between these graft types, but direct serial comparisons of early postoperative strength recovery are limited, so this study addresses a gap in the literature.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 13 to 45 years * Undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with either hamstring tendon autograft or quadriceps tendon autograft * Unilateral anterior cruciate ligament injury * Complete ACL tear with accompanying minimal collateral ligament injury and first-degree meniscal tear * Tegner Activity Score of 5 or higher * Willingness to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with patellar tendon autograft or allograft * Revision surgery * Systemic or neurological disease * Multiple ligament injuries * Grade III lateral or medial collateral ligament tear or significant articular cartilage lesion * Failure to regularly attend the rehabilitation program during the first 3 postoperative months * History of lower extremity injury in the contralateral limb within the last 12 months * Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, history of deep vein thrombosis, neurological disease, systemic inflammation, diabetes, cancer, or obesity
Where this trial is running
Ankara
- Hacettepe University — Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Volga Bayrakci Tunay Bayrakci Tunay, Phd
- Email: volgamel@yahoo.com
- Phone: +90 532 354 7626
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.