Anterior Cruciatel Ligament Reconstruction with Peroneus Longus Tendon Autograft: Functional Outcome and Donor Site Morbidity

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is a knee ligament that is very important in maintaining the stability of the knee joint. The incidence of isolated ACL tears remain a common orthopaedic injury with significant increase in the rate of ACL reconstruction over time. Several types of autografts used for ACL reconstruction have some potential occurrence of donor site morbidity, including Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone (BPTB), hamstring tendon, and quadriceps tendon. Peroneus longus tendon can be an option as a graft donor because it has biomechanical characteristics that are not significantly different from the hamstring tendon. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the functional outcome and donor site morbidity of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using peroneus longus tendon autograft. METHODS: This study was an observational analytical with retrospective cohort design using medical record. The functional outcomes were assessed with IKDC, Modified Cincinnati, Tegner-Lysholm, and KSS scoring system 12 months after surgery. Donor site morbidity was assessed with AOFAS and FADI scoring system, eversion strength, and plantarflexion strength. RESULTS: Seventy five patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria (59 males and 16 females). Mean of peroneus longus tendon graft diameters were 8.39 ± 0.69 mm (range 6.5-10 mm). Significant increase of functional score (p<0.05) were found 12 months after surgery. Mean score of IKDC was 55.26 ± 12.76 preoperative; 96.69 ± 3.36 postoperative, Modified Cincinnati was 65.45 ± 16.25 preoperative; 93.29 ± 7.04 postoperative, Tegner-Lysholm was 67.80 ± 15.29 preoperative; 89.71 ± 8.35 postoperative, KSS (Knee) was 65.33 ± 19.46 preoperative; 95.17 ± 5.94 postoperative, and KSS (Function) was 76.52 ± 20.25 preoperative; 93.20 ± 10.29 postoperative. Mean score of AOFAS was 98.93 ± 3.11 and FADI was 99.80 ± 0.59 at six months after surgery. The eversion and plantarflexion strength were not significantly different (p>0.05) between donor and contralateral side ankle. There was neurapraxia in 3 (4%) patients at six months postoperative. CONCLUSION: The peroneus longus tendon can be an ideal source of graft for ACL reconstruction because it has good functional outcome and minimal donor site morbidity.