Changes in patellar height due to bone-tendon-bone graft

Abstract Purpose Complications related to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft are common. Change in height, especially patella baja, can be a cause of anterior knee pain. Several studies have related ACL reconstruction with bone-tendon-bone graft to patella baja. Methods Forty-three patients with ACL reconstruction using a with bone-tendon-bone graft were included in this study. All patients underwent the same surgery, with closure of the paratenon of the patellar tendon. A radiological study was performed before surgery and 2 years after surgery. The Insall-Salvati index, axial view and patellar tilt were analysed in all patients. The healthy contralateral knees were used as the control group. Results No significant differences were observed from the preoperative measurements or at the 2-year follow-up. Conclusions The use of patellar tendon with closure of the paratenon in ACL reconstruction was not shown to modify patellar height within the radiological follow-up of two years.