The Central Quadriceps Tendon as a Versatile Graft Alternative in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Techniques and Recent Observations

The central quadriceps tendon (CQT) is a versatile graft for cruciate reconstruction, and may be used with or without a bone plug from the proximal patella. The authors recommend using the graft with a bone plug fixed in the femoral socket until long-term results are available with alternative methods. CQT as a free graft, however, holds promise for the future of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction as an alternative that might reduce perioperative and eventual morbidity. There are no long-term results yet to justify the CQT free graft for routine ACL reconstruction until clinical trials at a few centers establish this as yielding comparable results to bone-tendon-bone or CQT/bone plug reconstruction at long-term follow up