Superficial Rectus Femoris Versus Hamstring Autograft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Randomized Comparative Study of Early Functional Recovery
- VernacularTitle:Өвдөгний урд чагтан холбоосыг гуяны урд дөрвөн толгойт булчингын өнгөц шөрмөс болон өвдөг нугалагч булчингийн шөрмөс ашиглан сэргээсэн богино хугацааны харьцуулсан үр дүн
- Author:
Amgalankhuu O
1
;
2
;
Shiirevnyamba A
3
;
Batsukh S
2
;
Erdenebold B
2
;
Zoljargal S
2
;
Tuvshinbayar B
2
;
Yerkyebulan M
4
;
Naranbat L
1
;
Munkhsaikhan T
2
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, MNUMS
2. Department of Sports Medicine, National Trauma and Orthopedics Research Center
3. Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, MNUMS
4. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, MNUMS
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Superficial rectus femoris;
SRF graft;
early functional recovery;
knee biomechanics;
return to sport;
anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR)
- From:
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences
2026;93(3):56-63
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Background:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is one of the most common sports-related knee injuries among young and physically active individuals, often leading to knee instability, functional impairment, and delayed return to sports. Although hamstring tendon (HT) autografts are widely used in ACL reconstruction, the optimal graft choice remains controversial. The superficial rectus femoris (SRF) tendon has recently emerged as a potential alternative autograft with favorable biomechanical properties. This study aimed to compare the clinical stability and functional outcomes of ACL reconstruction using SRF and HT autografts.
Aim:This study aimed to characterize the epidemiology and risk profile of knee joint injuries in Mongolia over a 10-year period, and to evaluate the comparative clinical efficacy and functional recovery following ACL reconstruction using hamstring tendon (HT) versus superficial rectus femoris (SRF) autografts.
Materials and Methods:A randomized parallel-group clinical study was conducted at the Sports Injury Center of the National Trauma and Orthopedic Research Center. Fifty patients aged ≥18 years with complete ACL rupture were enrolled and randomly assigned to undergo ACL reconstruction using either a superficial rectus femoris autograft (SRF group, n=25) or a hamstring tendon autograft (HT group, n=25). The primary outcome was mechanical knee stability. Secondary outcomes included functional performance assessed using three-dimensional motion analysis, as well as patient-reported outcomes measured using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm scores. Clinical and functional assessments were performed preoperatively and at 1, 3 and 6-month postoperative follow-up visits. Comparative analyses were conducted to evaluate differences in recovery patterns between the two groups.
Result:Patients in the SRF group demonstrated significantly lower early postoperative pain levels and faster functional recovery compared with the HT group (p<0.01). Three-dimensional motion analysis revealed earlier restoration of limb symmetry and improved dynamic knee stability in the SRF group during the early postoperative period. These objective biomechanical findings supported the clinical observation of accelerated rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction using SRF autografts. At six months postoperatively, however, no statistically significant differences were observed between the SRF and HT groups in terms of mechanical knee stability or patient-reported functional outcomes.
Conclusion:ACL reconstruction using a superficial rectus femoris autograft demonstrated superior early functional recovery compared with the traditional hamstring autograft while achieving comparable short-term clinical stability. These findings suggest that the SRF autograft may represent a promising alternative graft option for patients requiring accelerated rehabilitation and earlier return to physical activity.
- Full text:202609270139145596507_56-63_Өвдөгний урд чагтан холбоосыг гуяны урд дөрвөн толгойт булчингын өнгөц шөрмөс болон өвдөг нугалагч булчингийн.pdf
