Functional outcome of arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament tear using peroneus longus tendon autograft

Abstract

Background: The objective of the study was to evaluate the functional outcome of arthroscopic reconstruction of ACL tear using triple layered PLT autograft and to study its effect on ankle stability. Methods: The study included 25 patients. The range of age was 18-42 years. Pre-op clinical tests and MRI was done to confirm tear. Reconstruction was done arthroscopically. Physiotheraphy protocol was fixed for all patients. Final outcome was assessed at 6 months using IKDC score and ankle stability was assessed by grading muscle power (MRC grading) with the normal side as control. Results: IKDC score was normal or near normal in 21 patients and only 4 patients were rated as abnormal or severely abnormal. Mean IKDC Score was 83.53. Stability of the ACL was assessed using the Lachman test: normal in 18 cases (72%), 1+ laxity in 5 cases (20%), 2+ and 3+ in 1 case (4%) each. Pivot shift was negative in 15 cases (60%), Pivot glide was seen in 9 cases (36%) and gross pivot shift was seen in 1 patient. Partial meniscectomy of the medial meniscus was performed in 5 patients. No patient experienced ankle dysfunction however 2 patients had pressure pain in the region of the graft harvest. Conclusions: PLT graft is similar to the native ACL both in terms of thickness and strength. It can be an appropriate autograft option for ACL reconstruction without compromising ankle function and avoiding potential complications of hamstring and BPTB autograft obtained from the knee region.