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Graft-Site Morbidity in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction: A Scoping Review of Assessment Techniques and Outcomes

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Graft-site morbidity is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). While autografts such as bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) and quadriceps tendon (QT) have been shown to provide effective mechanical stability, the functional and quality-of-life outcomes associated with graft harvesting location warrant greater attention. This scoping review evaluates the existing methodologies for assessing graft-site morbidity, focusing on anterior knee pain, paresthesia, and muscle deficits. Articles were screened from January 1, 2000, to June 12, 2024, returning 609 unique references to graft-site morbidity. A systematic search identified 43 studies meeting inclusion criteria, revealing significant variability in assessment methods and reporting standards. This review underscores the need for a uniformly administered series of techniques to measure graft-site morbidity, enabling meaningful comparisons and improving patient-centric surgical decision-making. Future investigations should prioritize standardizing assessment tools to assess graft selection and optimize holistic patient outcomes.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.103565

Authors: Peter M Ciari, Jillian Day, Serena Chen, Karen Bontekoe, Edward Merino, Joshua Karron

Institution: California Health Sciences University

Language: English

Topic: Knee injuries and reconstruction techniques

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7128924389