Comparative Study of Hamstring Graft Healing Time after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Augmentation of Platelet-Rich Plasma

Abstract

Aim: To Compare hamstring graft healing time after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with the use of augmentation of platelet-rich plasma. Methods: 30 patients between age group of 18 to 40 years with complete ACL tear were randomly divided into two groups the control group in which only ACL reconstruction was done and second group in which acl reconstruction was performed along with augmentation with Platelet rich plasma. For the PRP group, 3 ml of PRP was obtained in the operation room and was injected into femoral tunnel just before after portal suture. MRI was obtained post operatively 3 month, 6 month and 9th month for both the groups. Graft healing time was defined as the time taken for the graft to reach ligamentization phase when the graft became hyperintense or was visualised similar to PCL or the remnant which was preserved during reconstruction.  Results: Patients in PRP augmented group achieved ligamentization phase significantly earlier as compared to those in the control group, with mean time of 3.4 months as compared to 8.1 months in the control group. Conclusion: PRP helps in faster healing of the Hamstring graft. However further studies are required to correlate graft healing time with return to previous activity.