Augmented short undersized hamstring tendon graft with LARS® artificial ligament versus four-strand hamstring tendon in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: preliminary results

BackgroundThis retrospective study compares the results of reconstruction of isolated chronic anterior cruciate ligament rupture using augmented short undersized sized hamstring tendon graft with ligament advanced artificial reinforcement system (LARS) versus a four-strand hamstring tendon graft (4-SHG). Our hypothesis was that postoperative knee stability after using augmented short length or small diameter hamstring tendon graft with LARS artificial ligament could be significant and satisfactory more than 4-strand hamstring tendon graft group.Materials and methodsBetween June 2007–July 2008, 72 patients were divided into a (LARS) augmented group (n = 27) and a (4-SHG) group (n = 45).ResultsMean FU is 5 years. KT-1000 examinations showed that the LARS group had significantly less anterior displacement than the (4-SHG) group P = 0.013. IKDC score demonstrated statistically significant differences (P = 0.05).ConclusionsOur study indicates that early results of augmenting: short length or small diameter harvested hamstring tendons with LARS in ACL reconstruction provides satisfactory, comparable results and displayed higher knee stability compared to (4-SHG) group.Level of evidenceLevel III (case control study).