Bracing and Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament for Efficacy Trial

Inclusion Criteria: * patients with unilateral complete ACL injury * patients involved in sports and the desire to return to sports * patients undergoing quadriceps autograft ACL reconstruction * must be 14 to 39 years old Exclusion Criteria: * multiligamentous knee injuries defined as two ligaments requiring surgical stabilization * concomitant suture tape augmentation, extra-articular tenodesis or anterolateral ligament reconstruction * concomitant femoral, tibial, or patellar fracture(s) * patients with significant osteoarthritis * concomitant ipsilateral knee dislocation or patellar dislocation * significant lower leg malalignment requiring correcting osteotomies * prior ACL surgery, including contralateral knee * pregnancy during injury or surgery * unable to provide consent * prolonged use of prednisolone or cytostatics * comorbidities (e.g., muscular, neurological, vascular) that influence rehabilitation