COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SINGLE BUNDLE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION USING THE PERONEUS LONGUS TENDON AUTOGRAFT VERSUS HAMSTRING TENDON AUTOGRAFT

Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction can be performed using autograft from various sources namely bone patellar tendon bone graft, hamstring graft, or peroneus longus tendon. Purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcome and donor site morbidity of ACL reconstruction with peroneus longus tendon versus hamstring tendon autograft in patients with an isolated ACL injury. Methods: Patients who undervent isolated single bundle ACL reconstruction were allocated in peroneus and hamstring groups and observed prospectively. Functional score (IKDC, & Modified Cincinnati score) was recorded preoperatively and 1 year post-operatively. Graft diameter was measured intra-operatively. Donor site morbidity were assessed with thigh circumference measurments and ankle scoring by MRC grading and FADI Score. Results: 56 patients (28-Hamstring and 28-peroneus group) met the inclusion criteria. The average Peroneus longus graft diameter (8.8±0.8) was significantly larger than the Hamstring graft diameter (8.1±0.9). In terms of 1-year postoperative outcomes statistically there is very little comparable difference between both these grafts when used for arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. Conclusion: Our study brings forth the superior efficacy and quality of double stranded peroneus longus tendon autograft in term of good functional score (IKDC, & Modified Cincinnati score), larger graft diameter, less thigh hypotrophy, and excellent ankle function based on FADI Score. Prospective cohort study, level II. Abbreviations: ACL- Anterior cruciate ligament BPTB- Bone-patellar tendon-bone IKDC – International knee documentation committee FADI- Foot and ankle disability index.