ACL Primary Repair Has Limited Indications and Outcomes Inferior to ACL Reconstruction

ACL primary repair literature does not convincingly show non-inferiority to the gold-standard of ACL reconstruction using a graft. Primary repair has narrow indications, typically Sherman Type I tear pattern representing femoral avulsion good tissue quality. In addition, recent research shows greater post-operative laxity in repairs deemed successful in comparison to laxity in patients having reconstruction. Our primary point is worth repeating: In contrast to ACL primary repair, ACL reconstruction is the gold standard for ACL tears.