ACL Reconstruction with Allograft: Benefits and Considerations

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the main ligaments in the human knee. In older patients or those suffering from sports injuries, the ACL can need reconstruction. Allograft, a ligament tissue graft from a donor cadaver, is a common method used to repair the ACL.

Large Quantities

• Allograft used in ACL reconstruction exists in large quantities and in larger sizes because it is harvested from cadavers. With no need to preserve mobility in a cadaver, more of the tissue can be removed, resulting in bigger grafts.

Growth Plates

• Autograft ACL reconstruction removes tissue for grafting from the patient and can potentially disrupt growth plates in patients still growing. Allografts allow reconstruction to occur with no potential risk to growth plates.

Surgery Time

• Because the tissue is prepared prior to surgery and not removed from the patient, allograft tissue greatly reduces surgery time and complications from tissue extraction.