Assessment of Donor Site Morbidity and Ankle Stability After Management of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Peroneus Longus Autograft– A Prospective Study in Indian Patients

Background: Peroneus longus tendon (PLT) autograft has been successfully used for isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction cases. Being a powerful evertor and exor of great toe, there can be associated ankle morbidity with this autograft option. This study aimed to assess donor site morbidity ankle strength after harvesting ipsilateral PLT autograft in ACL reconstruction. Methods: This was a prospective study where 100 patients with isolated ACL tear underwent ACL reconstruction using ipsilateral PLT autograft. All patients were evaluated by visual analogue scale for foot and ankle (VAS-FA), and clinical ankle joint stability was assessed by American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Bilateral evertors, and rst ray plantarexion strength measurement using an isometer was done at 6- month follow-up for ankle strength. Donor site complications were monitored. The mean Results: length of PLT harvested (cm) was 26.8 (standard deviation 2.5, range 21–30), and mean diameter of the graft (mm) was 8.21 (standard deviation 0.56, range 7.2–8.6). Ankle eversion strength (p = 0.62), rst ray plantarexion strength (p = 0.52), VAS-FA (p=0.32), and AOFAS score (p = 0.29) were found to be comparable to the normal side in all patients. There were no cases of graft failure, infection or donor site scarring. ACL reconstruction using a PLT autograft revealed Conclusion: no muscle strength deterioration, donor site morbidity or safety concerns.