Hamstring Autograft ACL Reconstruction With and Without Internal Brace: A Matched Cohort Comparison

Re-injury is a major concern in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The use of ligament augmentation devices was first introduced in 1980 in effort to increase the tensile strength of the soft tissue graft and promote optimal healing following ACLR. More recently, the use of suture tape for ligament augmentation with hamstring autograft ACLR has been described in order to provide biomechanical support during graft healing phases. The purpose of this study was to compare (1) rates of complication and reoperation, (2) rate of ACL failure, and (3) patient reported outcomes (PRO) among matched patients following hamstring autograft ACLR with and without internal brace augmentation at a minimum 2-year clinical follow-up.