Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Anterior Knee Pain Prevalence After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Risk Factors and Prevention

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Anterior Knee Pain and Patellar Instability

  • 577 Accesses

Abstract

Anterior knee pain is one of the most frequent complications after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, neither the exact prevalence of this pathology nor its origin is completely known. Studies suggest that the type of graft used as well as the range of motion loss may be related.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Sanders TL, Maradit Kremers H, Bryan AJ, et al. Incidence of anterior cruciate ligament tears and reconstruction: a 21-year population-based study. Am J Sports Med. 2016;44(6):1502–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Campbell W, Canale S, Beaty J, et al. Campbell’s operative orthopaedics. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ardern CL, Taylor NF, Feller JA, et al. Fifty-five per cent return to competitive sport following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis including aspects of physical functioning and contextual factors. Br J Sports Med. 2014;48(21):1543–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Rousseau R, Labruyere C, Kajetanek C, et al. Complications after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and their relation to the type of graft: a prospective study of 958 cases. Am J Sports Med. 2019;47(11):2543–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Samuelsen BT, Webster KE, Johnson NR, et al. Hamstring autograft versus patellar tendon autograft for ACL reconstruction: is there a difference in graft failure rate? A meta-analysis of 47,613 patients. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2017;475(10):2459–68.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Kanamoto T, Tanaka Y, Yonetani Y, et al. Anterior knee symptoms after double-bundle ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon autografts: an ultrasonographic and power Doppler investigation. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2014;23(11):3324–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Niki Y, Hakozaki A, Iwamoto W, et al. Factors affecting anterior knee pain following anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2012;20:1543–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Ogilvie-Harris DJ, Giddens J. Hoffa’s disease: arthroscopic resection of the infrapatellar fat pad. Arthroscopy. 1994;10:184–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Kartus J, Movin T, Karlsson J. Donor-site morbidity and anterior knee problems after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using auto-grafts. Arthroscopy. 2001;17(9):971–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Sachs RA, Daniel DM, Stone ML, et al. Patellofemoral problems after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Am J Sports Med. 1989;17:760–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Shelbourne KD, Trumper RV. Preventing anterior knee pain after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Am J Sports Med. 1997;25:41–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Corry IS, Webb JM, Clingeleffer AJ, et al. Arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament: a comparison of patellar tendon autograft and four-strand hamstring tendon auto-graft. Am J Sports Med. 1999;27(4):444–54.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Sachs RA, Daniel DM, Stone ML, et al. Patellofemoral problems after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Am J Sports Med. 1989;17:760–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Marques F, Barbosa P, Alves P, et al. Anterior knee pain after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Orthop J Sports Med. 2020;8(10):232596712096108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Kartus J, Magnusson L, Stener S, et al. Complications following arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 1999;7(1):2–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Tsuda E, Okamura Y, Ishibashi Y, et al. Techniques for reducing anterior knee symptoms after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft. Am J Sports Med. 2001;29:450–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Slone HS, Romine SE, Premkumar A, et al. Quadriceps tendon auto-graft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a comprehensive review of current literature and systematic review of clinical results. Arthroscopy. 2015;31(3):541–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Freedman KB, D’Amato MJ, Nedeff DD. Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a meta-analysis comparing patellar tendon and hamstring tendon autografts. Am J Sports Med. 2003;31(1):2–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Webster KE, Feller JA, Hartnett N, et al. Comparison of patellar tendon and Hamstring tendon anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a 15-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial. Am J Sports Med. 2016;44:83–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Feller JA, Webster KE. A randomized comparison of patellar tendon and hamstring tendon anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Am J Sports Med. 2003;31:564–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Holm I, Oiestad BE, Risberg MA, et al. No differences in prevalence of osteoarthritis or function after open versus endoscopic technique for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: 12-year follow-up report of a randomized controlled trial. Am J Sports Med. 2012;40(11):2492–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Zhao L, Lu M, Deng M, et al. Outcome of bone–patellar tendon–bone vs hamstring tendon autograft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Medicine. 2020;99(48): e23476.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Samuelsson K, Andersson D, Karlsson J. Treatment of anterior cruciate ligament injuries with special reference to graft type and surgical technique: an assessment of randomized controlled trials. Arthroscopy. 2009;25:1139–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Aga C, Risberg M, Fagerland M, et al. No difference in the KOOS Quality of life subscore between anatomic double-bundle and anatomic single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the knee: a prospective randomized controlled trial with 2 years’ follow-up. Am J Sports Med. 2018;46(10):2341–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Aglietti P, Giron F, Losco M, et al. Comparison between single- and double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Am J Sports Med. 2009;38(1):25–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Belisle AL, Bicos J, Geaney L, et al. Strain pattern comparison of double- and single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction techniques with the native anterior cruciate ligament. Arthroscopy. 2007;23:1210–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Blauth W. 2-strip substitution-plasty of the anterior cruciate ligament with the quadriceps tendon [in German]. Unfallheilkunde. 1984;87(2):45–51.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Gorschewsky O, Klakow A, Putz A, et al. Clinical comparison of the autologous quadriceps tendon (BQT) and the autologous patella tendon (BPTB) for the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2007;15(11):1284–92.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Slone HS, Romine SE, Premkumar A, et al. Quadriceps tendon auto-graft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a comprehensive review of current literature and systematic review of clinical results. Arthroscopy. 2015;31(3):541–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Lee JK, Lee S, Lee MC. Outcomes of anatomic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: bone-quadriceps tendon graft versus double-bundle hamstring tendon graft. Am J Sports Med. 2016;44(9):2323–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Cavaignac E, Coulin B, Tscholl P, et al. Is quadriceps tendon autograft a better choice than hamstring autograft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction? A comparative study with a mean follow-up of 3.6 years. Am J Sports Med. 2017;45(6):1326–32.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Mouarbes D, Menetrey J, Marot V, et al. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes for quadriceps tendon autograft versus bone-patellar tendon–bone and hamstring-tendon autografts. Am J Sports Med. 2019;47(14):3531–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Han HS, Seong SC, Lee S. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: quadriceps versus patellar autograft. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2008;466:198–204.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  34. Joseph M, Fulkerson J, Nissen C, et al. Short-term recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective comparison of three autografts. Orthopedics. 2006;29(3):243–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Jackson DW, Schaefer RK. Cyclops syndrome: loss of extension following intra-articular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Arthroscopy. 1990;6:171–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Steadman JR, Dragoo JL, Hines SL, et al. Arthroscopic release for symptomatic scarring of the anterior interval of the knee. Am J Sports Med. 2008;36:1763–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Ahmad CS, Kwak SD, Ateshian GA, et al. Effects of patellar tendon adhesion to the anterior tibia on knee mechanics. Am J Sports Med. 1998;26:715–24.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Kopf S, Forsythe B, Wong AK, et al. Nonanatomic tunnel position in traditional transtibial single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction evaluated by three-dimensional computed tomography. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2010;926:1427–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Strobel MJ, Castillo RJ, Weiler A. Reflex extension loss after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction due to femoral “high noon” graft placement. Arthroscopy. 2001;17:408–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Van Melick N, van Cingel R, Brooijmans F, et al. Evidence-based clinical practice update: practice guidelines for anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation based on a systematic review and multidisciplinary consensus. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(24):1506–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Andersson D, Samuelsson K, Karlsson J. Treatment of anterior cruciate ligament injuries with special reference to surgical technique and rehabilitation: an assessment of randomized controlled trials. Arthroscopy. 2009;25:653–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Beaufils P, Gaudot F, Drain O, et al. Mini-invasive technique for bone patellar tendon bone harvesting: its superiority in reducing anterior knee pain following ACL reconstruction. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2011;4(2):45–51.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  43. Kartus J, Magnusson L, Stener S, et al. Complications following arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 1999;7(1):2–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Berg P, Mjoberg B. A lateral skin incision reduces peripatellar dysaesthesia after knee surgery. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1991;73:374–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Tsuda E, Okamura Y, Ishibashi Y, et al. Techniques for reducing anterior knee symptoms after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft. Am J Sports Med. 2001;29(4):450–6.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Gaudot F, Leymarie JB, Drain O, et al. Double-incision mini-invasive technique for BTB harvesting: its superiority in reducing anterior knee pain following ACL reconstruction. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2009;95:28–35.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Higuchi H, Kobayashi A, Ikeda K, et al. Efficacy of b-tricalcium phosphate graft into the bone defects after bone-patellar tendon-bone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. J Knee Surg. 2017;30:467–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Agarwalla A, Puzzitiello R, Garcia GH, et al. Application of a beta-tricalcium phosphate graft to minimize bony defect in bone–patella tendon–bone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Arthrosc Tech. 2018;7(7):e725-9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  49. Kato Y, Chavez J, Yamada S, et al. Beta-tricalcium phosphate block for donor site morbidity of the patella in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone graft. Knee Surg Relat Res. 2019;31(2):113–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  50. Janani G, Suresh P, Prakash A, et al. Anterior knee pain in ACL reconstruction with BPTB graft—Is it a myth? Comparative outcome analysis with hamstring graft in 1,250 patients. J Orthop. 2020;22:408–13.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  51. Shelbourne K, Beck M, Gray T. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with contralateral autogenous patellar tendon graft. Am J Sports Med. 2014;43(3):648–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Asai K, Nakase J, Oshima T, et al. Partial resection of the infrapatellar fat pad during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has no effect on clinical outcomes including anterior knee pain. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2020;140(11):1751–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Walters B, Porter D, Hobart S, et al. Effect of intraoperative platelet-rich plasma treatment on postoperative donor site knee pain in patellar tendon autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Am J Sports Med. 2018;46(8):1827–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Cervellin M, deGirolamo L, Bait C, et al. Autologous platelet-rich plasma gel to reduce donor site morbidity after patellar tendon graft harvesting for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a randomized, controlled clinical study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2012;20(1):114–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Seijas R, Rius M, Ares O, et al. Healing of donor site in bone-tendon-bone ACL reconstruction accelerated with plasma rich in growth factors: a randomized clinical trial. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2015;23(4):991–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia, Spain

    Antonio Darder-Sanchez

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, Valencia, Spain

    Antonio Darder-Prats & Vicente Sanchis-Alfonso

Authors
  1. Antonio Darder-Sanchez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Antonio Darder-Prats
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Vicente Sanchis-Alfonso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antonio Darder-Sanchez .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, Valencia, Spain

    Vicente Sanchis-Alfonso

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Darder-Sanchez, A., Darder-Prats, A., Sanchis-Alfonso, V. (2023). Anterior Knee Pain Prevalence After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Risk Factors and Prevention. In: Sanchis-Alfonso, V. (eds) Anterior Knee Pain and Patellar Instability. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09767-6_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09767-6_13

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-09766-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-09767-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation