Peroneus longus tendon regeneration after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with magnetic resonance imaging evaluation

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Peroneus longus graft can be recommended as a superior graft over hamstring in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. There are many studies concerning hamstring tendon regeneration, but there are few studies on the regeneration of the peroneus longus tendon after ACL reconstruction. AIM: This study aimed to investigate whether regeneration of the peroneus longus tendon occurs after ACL reconstruction with magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS: Twenty-five patients underwent ACL reconstruction with donors from the peroneus longus tendon by the same operator and were followed 12 months later with bilateral crural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for comparison of the donor and healthy peroneus longus tendon areas. Regeneration was assessed at 5 cm, 10 cm, and 15 cm from the ankle joint. RESULTS: The average age 30.4 (18-38) years old. There were 17 right and 8 left knees involved in this study. The interval between surgery and MRI was 1 year. The average regeneration presentation was located in the distal part (5 cm from the ankle joint) 66.78%, medial part (10 cm from the joint) 63.2%, and proximal part (15 cm from the ankle joint) 67.53%. There was no significant difference in the presentation of proximal, medial, and distal areas while there was a significant difference between age and regeneration of the proximal area, p <0.05 (p = 0.047). Tissue regeneration was tendinous and it appeared smaller in the place where the tendons grew. CONCLUSION: Regeneration of the peroneus longus tendon occurred after ACL reconstruction at a 1-year follow-up according to MRI.