Based on important criteria such as biomechanical strength, knee stability, donor-site morbidity, rehabilitation, hamstring function, and return to sport, this chart contrasts autografts of the quadriceps tendon (QT) with peroneus longus (PL) for ACL surgery. Because of its greater structural integrity, QT is best suited for patients who value stability, whereas PL is preferable for those who want a quicker recovery with less donor-site morbidity.

Table 2: Based on important criteria such as biomechanical strength, knee stability, donor-site morbidity, rehabilitation, hamstring function, and return to sport, this chart contrasts autografts of the quadriceps tendon (QT) with peroneus longus (PL) for ACL surgery. Because of its greater structural integrity, QT is best suited for patients who value stability, whereas PL is preferable for those who want a quicker recovery with less donor-site morbidity.

Criteria	Quadriceps Tendon (QT) Autograft	Peroneus Longus (PL) Autograft
Biomechanical Strength	Higher tensile strength (~4200 N) and greater graft diameter (8.5-10 mm)	Sufficient tensile strength (~3800 N) with a slightly smaller graft diameter (8.5-10 mm)
Knee Stability	Comparable to BPTB and HT graft, ensuring strong knee stability	Comparable knee stability to HT graft but may show variability in tendon size
Donor-Site Morbidity	Lower than BPTB; reduced anterior knee pain and extensor mechanism dysfunction risk	Minimal donor-site morbidity, with reduced post-op pain and hamstring preservation
Rehabilitation & Recovery	Moderate recovery time (9-12 months return-to-sport rate ~90-95%)	Faster recovery; return-to-sport timeline 1-2 months earlier than HT/BPTB
Hamstring Function	No impact on hamstring function	Preserves hamstring function, beneficial for athletes relying on hamstring strength
Return to Sport	High return-to-sport rates (~90-95%) with strong knee stability	Faster return-to-sport rates with less donor -site discomfort
Ideal for	Patients prioritizing long-term knee stability, Strength, and reduced anterior knee pain	Athletes or individual seeking quicker recovery with minimal donor-site issues