Assessment of Functional Outcome and Donor Site Morbidity in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Peroneus Longus Autograft

Abstract

Introduction: Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction is one of the most successful surgeries in sports medicine. But the donor site morbidities have been reported with bone patellar tendon bone graft and hamstring tendon graft. The objective of the study is to evaluate the functional outcome of and donor site (ankle) morbidities with full thickness peroneus longus tendon (PLT) autograft in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods: A Prospective study was done in 30 patients with ACL injury. Knee stability and function were evaluated using the Lachman test, pivot shift test, International Knee Documentation Committee score (IKDC) and Lysholm knee score. Donor ankle was assessed using American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) and grading muscle power by Medical Research Council scale. Data collected preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 & 12 months were compared. Results: The IKDC score was normal or nearly normal in 24 patients and abnormal in 6 patients. The mean Lysholm score had excellent or good results in 24 patients. The Lachman test showed normal findings in 24 patients, 6 patients had 1+ laxity. The pivot-shift test was negative in 22 patients and 8 patients had 1+ glide. The mean AOFAS score was 100±0.0 (preoperatively) and 96.0±9.6 (at final follow up). No patient experienced ankle pain and instability. Conclusion: PLT autograft gave painless stable knee, with a good range of motion. It didn’t have any morbid effect on ankle and gait parameters. So, PLT autograft can be suitable graft with respect to its strength, safety and donor site morbidity. Keywords: ACL, Peroneus Longus Tendon, Knee Arthroscopy