Age, Graft Size, and Tegner Activity Level as Predictors of Failure in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Hamstring Autograft

Background:Patient age, Tegner activity level, and graft size could be factors that influence the outcome of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with hamstring autografts.Hypothesis:Decreased graft size, higher Tegner activity score, and younger age are associated with an increased failure rate of ACLR, represented by continued knee laxity and revision surgery.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:A total of 98 patients who had undergone ACLR with hamstring tendon autografts between 2000 and 2007 were identified from a computerized relational database. Inclusion criteria consisted of a minimum of 2 years of follow-up, all age groups, and all activity levels. Exclusion criteria consisted of treatment with other grafts or previous ligament surgery, previous ACL repairs, bilateral ACL injuries, and associated ligament tears. Failure was defined as a 2+ Lachman result, positive pivot shift, and 5-mm difference or more on KT-1000 arthrometer measurement.Results:Fifteen of the 98 ...