Twin Soccer Athletes with Simultaneous ACL Tears - Which Graft Would You Chose?

Identical twins served as soccer team captains for a charter school in west Phoenix. Both suffered anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries during their junior year soccer season within a five-week period.

By
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January 26, 2024
4 min

Phoenix Children's Medical Connection

At a Glance

Category	Detail
Condition	Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
Key Mechanisms	Quadriceps tendon autograft provides robust tissue volume and optimal functional outcomes.
Target Population	Young female athletes
Care Setting	Orthopedic surgery and sports medicine

Key Highlights

Quadriceps tendon autograft is gaining popularity for ACL reconstruction in young athletes.
The graft offers more volume than patellar tendon and maintains strength post-harvest.
Successful return to play for both twins within the same soccer season after surgery.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

MRI confirmation of ACL and meniscus injuries.

Management

Use quadriceps tendon autograft for ACL reconstruction in young female athletes.

Monitoring & Follow-up

Utilize Motion Analysis Lab for assessing recovery and readiness to return to sports.

Risks

Risk of reinjury to reconstructed ACL; assess physical readiness to minimize risk.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Identical twin high school soccer athletes

Quadriceps tendon autografts led to successful surgical outcomes and return to play.

Clinical Best Practices

Customize post-operative and rehabilitative treatment plans using motion analysis.
Ensure symmetry in strength and agility before recommending return to sports.