Donor site morbidity after quadriceps tendon harvest for rotator cuff repair

Background: The central quadriceps tendon provides a useful free tendon graft, although the morbidity of harvesting it is unknown in elderly patients. Methods: The donor site morbidities of 10 patients after central quadriceps tendon (CQT) graft harvest were reviewed for rotator cuff repair. Patients were reviewed by questionnaire and clinical examination at a minimum of 5 months after surgery. Results: A majority of patients reported significant donor site pain and reduction in knee reliability and function. Six of 10 patients had reduced quadriceps power attributable to the graft harvest. Conclusion: The harvesting of the CQT graft is associated with significant morbidity, especially in an elderly population with limited functional reserve.