Comparison of Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Versus Hamstring Tendon Autografts in Young Female Athletes

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are one of the most common sports related knee injuries, especially in young, athletic females. Female core muscle deficiency and dynamic muscle coordination have been shown to put young female athletes at an increased risk for anterior cruciate ligament injury and graft injury in comparison to male athletes. Hamstring tendon and bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts have been established as superior grafts for reconstruction. However, there has yet to be a study demonstrating the optimal graft choice in young, athletic females. In this study, we aim to demonstrate the incidence rate of hamstring tendon versus bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft failure eighteen months postoperatively in the young, athletic, female population. The results of this study could help to identify a superior graft choice for female athletes and ultimately result in the reduction of repeat reconstructive surgeries