Vol. 11, Issue 4 (2025)

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament tears range from 0.24 to 0.34 injuries per 1000 people. Internal brace is a high-strength suture tape which act as a "safety belt," and secondary stabilizer sharing the load of the graft and helps to reduce the re-tear rate, improve graft integrity and enhance knee function potentially improving overall surgical outcomes. Considering the advantage of using internal brace, this study was taken up.

Methods: 60 patients who underwent surgery at Manipal hospital, Bangalore from November 2022-November 2024 were considered for the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups,30 in internal bracing with single hamstring tendon reconstruction group and remaining 30 in without internal bracing with double hamstring tendon reconstruction group. Both groups were assessed with Lysholm knee score and IKDC score pre-operatively and post-operatively at regular intervals.

Results: Both scores showed statistically significant improvement (P<0.001) during the post-operative period in internal bracing group. In internal bracing group, Lysholm score at 3^rd month was 83.4,6^th month was 90.4 and 12^th month was 95.9 while in without internal bracing group at 3^rd month was 80.3,6^th month was 86.8 and 12^th month was 92.7. In internal bracing group 56.67% scored IKDC grade B at 3^rd month, 6^th month 70% scored grade A and 12^th month 100% scored grade A. In without internal bracing group 50% scored grade B at 3^rd month, 6^th month 66.67% scored grade A and 12^th month 93.33% scored grade A. There was no co-relation between the functional outcome scores with respect to age, gender and side of the knee being operated in both groups.

Conclusion: Single hamstring tendon with internal bracing group showed better functional outcome scores than the other group and also returned to pre-injury status as early as 6^th month post-operatively. No re-tear of grafts was noted in either of the groups.