Background: The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether anteroposterior translation (APT) after ACL reconstruction with intraoperative balancing of the transplant tension to that of the contralateral ACL could be obtained at follow up. Additionally, differences of APT’s following ACL reconstruction using either autologous patella bonetendon–bone (BTB) or autologous quadriceps-tendon-bone (QTB) were assessed.

Methods: In a consecutive series of 44 patients (44 knees), ACL deficiency was treated in 30 patients (median age: 33, 16–58, 20 male, 22 right knee) with BTB–and in 14 patients (median age: 31, 17–50, 8 male, 10 right knee) with QTB-reconstruction. APT was evaluated in 20° knee flexion in the affected and healthy contralateral knee using the Rolimeter^®. Measurements were performed in both knees preoperative, during, and immediately after ACL-reconstrucion, as well as 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively in triplates. For statistical analysis the non-parametrical Kruskal-Wallis Test (post test: Dunn’s Test) was used.

Results: Statistically significant decreases of APT were observed between pre–and intraoperative measurements in the BTB–and the QTB-group due to ACL reconstruction (11.1±2.0 to 6.3±0.7mm; p< 0.001 in the BTB and 11.1±2.3 to 6.8±1.2mm; p< 0.001 in QTB group). At the intraoperative measurements, there were no differences in APT between the contralateral healthy knee and the reconstructed knee in both groups. During the follow up, significant loss of APT in the balanced reconstructed knees were only observed in the BTB group after 12 months (6.3±0.7 to 7.5±1.2mm; p< 0.05).

Conclusion: After reconstruction of the ACL, BTB–and QTB-ACL reconstruction groups, yielded the same anteroposterior translation (APT) as contralateral healthy knees. This new intraoperative technique provides ACL reconstruction with balancing of the anteroposterior knee translation of the healthy contralateral knee. An increase in APT could be observed 12 months after ACL reconstruction only in the BTB group. Further research is necessary to assess whether QTB-ACL-reconstruction should be preferred regarding preservation of the initial ligament tension at follow up.