Donor Site Morbidity after Removal of FullThickness Peroneus Longus Tendon Graft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction: 4-Year Follow-up.

PUSPOSE OF THE STUDY. Many studies have investigated the efficacy of peroneus longus tendon (PLT) in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, and donor site morbidity has not been adequately studied.

Material and methods: Fifty patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using PLT were included. Ankle strengths of the patients evaluated with an analog dynamometer. Ankle range of motion (ROM) was measured with a smart phone inclonometer application.

Results: There was no significant difference between the postoperative ankle strength(eversion, plantar flexion) in the donor area and the preoperative period (p=0.6 and p=0.7, respectively) and contralateral healthy side (p=0.6, p=0.6, respectively). Ankle ROM angles (dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, eversion, inversion) were significantly lower in the post-operative period compared to the preoperative period and contralateral healthy side (p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.05, respectively). There was no significant difference between pre-operative and post-operative AOFAS scores (p=0.2).

Conclusions: Although PLT can affect ROM angles, it is a promising alternative for ACL reconstructions without causing functional morbidity.

Key words: peroneus longus tendon, autograft, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, donor site morbidity.