Rectus femoris tendon: An emerging option in ACL reconstruction

Abstract

Over the past decades, the search for the ‘ideal’ graft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has remained one of orthopaedic surgery's most enduring pursuits. Each generation of surgeons has witnessed new grafts and techniques emerge—only for most to find their rightful place somewhere between innovation and pragmatism. The sheer number of available options—bone–patellar tendon–bone, hamstring autografts, quadriceps tendon, peroneus longus and the many forms of allografts—is itself a reminder that no single graft is perfect. Each carries its own strengths and limitations, underscoring that no option fully satisfies the balance between biomechanical performance, donor-site morbidity, graft survival and functional recovery. This ongoing search for improvement keeps the door open for exploring new alternatives. In this context, a new and unexpected contender has quietly entered the scene.