Quadriceps Tendon Autograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction With Internal Brace Augmentation: A Case Series

A total of 44 athletes were included, with an average age of 20.3 years. Of these, 29 (65.9%) were male and 15 (34.1%) were female. Eleven (25%) were Division I athletes. The most common sports were football (n=15) and basketball (n=15), followed by soccer (n=11), lacrosse (n=2), and rugby (n=1). Concomitant meniscal surgery was performed in 22 patients (50%). Time-to-return data was available for 36 athletes (81.8%). Seven lacked sufficient documentation, and one patient was excluded from the study entirely due to postoperative infection requiring graft revision. Two patients were excluded from the time-to-return analysis due to concurrent posterolateral corner reconstructions. The average time to return was 240.5 days (range: 166-312). Among Division I athletes (9/11, 81.8%), the average time to return was 255.0 days (range: 181-312), compared to 234.6 days (range: 166-309) for non-Division I athletes (27/33, 81.8%). No re-ruptures occurred. Four athletes (9.1%) developed arthrofibrosis requiring manipulation under anesthesia: one female athlete (basketball) and three male athletes (two football, one basketball) Conclusion: QAIB ACLR in cutting and pivoting athletes demonstrated a 0% re-rupture rate and return-to-play timelines comparable to existing standards. While early results are promising, limitations in data capture, particularly return-to-play documentation and patient-reported outcomes, highlight the need for more robust, prospective studies to better assess long-term efficacy and safety.