ACL Reconstruction With Attachment-Sparing Hamstring Autograft Results in Earlier Graft Maturation and Better Short-Term Clinical Outcome in Comparison to Free Graft: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study has been identified as potentially high impact. OE's AI-driven High Impact metric estimates the influence a paper is likely to have by integrating signals from both the journal in which it is published and the scientific content of the article itself. Developed using state-of-the-art natural language processing, the OE High Impact model more accurately predicts a study's future citation performance than journal impact factor alone. This enables earlier recognition of clinically meaningful research and helps readers focus on articles most likely to shape future practice.

Study Summary

56 patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears were randomized to undergo ACL reconstruction (ACLR) using either an attachment-sparing hamstring autograft or a free hamstring autograft. The primary outcome of interest was graft maturation, assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Figueroa scores. Secondary outcomes included graft swelling, tibial tunnel widening, knee function measured using Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, activity levels measured using Tegner scores, and anterior tibial translation (ATT). MRI outcomes were assessed at 3, 6, and 9 months, while clinical outcomes were assessed up to 12 months. Overall, the results revealed that attachment-sparing grafts demonstrated significantly earlier maturation and less graft swelling compared with free hamstring grafts. Attachment-sparing grafts also produced better IKDC scores at 6 and 12 months, although most other clinical outcomes were comparable. These findings suggested that preserving the tibial attachment of hamstring grafts could improve early biological healing and selected short-term functional outcomes following ACLR.