Feller 2003

Methods	Computer‐generated random assignment Independent, but unblinded assessment Mean follow‐up: 36 months Loss to follow‐up: 4 PT and 2 HT (excluded from analysis) Withdrawals: 1 HT (excluded from analysis) Graft re‐ruptures (traumatic): 1 PT (excluded from analysis)
Participants	Australia 65 participants with acute (3 weeks to 12 months), isolated unilateral ACL tears PT: n = 31, mean 25.8 years (SD = 6 years), 23 males / 8 females HT: n=34, mean 26.3 years (SD = 6 years), 24 males / 10 females
Interventions	Arthroscopically‐assisted ACL reconstruction with: 1. Patellar tendon (single incision; proximal fixation ‐ EndoButton; tibial fixation ‐ Cannulated metallic interference silk screw) versus 2. Hamstring tendon: semitendinosus/gracilis tendons (4 strands; single incision; proximal fixation ‐ EndoButton; tibial fixation ‐ whip stitched suture and fixation post)
Outcomes	Minimum 36 months (also of 4, 8, 12 and 24 months) follow‐up for: Static stability with KT‐1000 (67N & 134N); range of motion; pivot shift; IKDC, Cincinnati; anterior knee pain (VAS); strength with Cybex II (60 & 240 deg/s); return to sport/activity; kneeling; radiographic assessment
Notes	Additional information received from Feller comprised individual pre‐ and post‐operative patient data for the following outcomes: IKDC, pain, effusion, pain with kneeling, flexion and extension deficits, heel height difference, KT‐1000 (67N, 134N, max manual), Cincinnati
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Low risk	Computer‐generated random assignment.
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	No details
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes	High risk
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	High risk	Patients who were lost to follow‐up, withdrew or suffered a re‐rupture were excluded from the final analysis.
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Low risk
Other bias	Low risk