Thigh Muscle Volume Remains Decreased on 3‐Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging at Minimum of 5 Years After Patellar Tendon but not Allograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Purpose: To evaluate thigh muscle volume differences in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with either allograft tissue or bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autografts, using 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modeling. Methods: test, and muscle volumes were standardized as a percentage of the corresponding nonoperative extremity and then tested in comparison with the alternative graft type. Results: = .013), whereas compartment volumes remained similar between limbs. Percentage changes in volume comparing injured with contralateral thigh volume was not significantly different between graft type groups. Conclusions: No significant side-to-side differences were found in individual thigh compartments or total volume after allograft ACLR. BPTB ACLR has a modest effect (∼3%) on long-term total thigh muscle volume. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.