Comparative Evaluation of Peroneus Longus Tendon and Hamstring Tendon Autografts in Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Summary

50 patients with primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears were randomized to receive arthroscopic reconstruction using a peroneus longus tendon (PLT) autograft or a quadrupled semitendinosus–gracilis hamstring tendon (HT) autograft. The outcomes of interest were functional recovery, knee stability, graft diameter, operative time, postoperative pain, range of motion, donor-site morbidity, complications, and return to activity. Outcomes were assessed immediately after surgery and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Overall, the results revealed that the PLT group had a larger graft diameter, shorter operative time, less early pain, lower donor-site morbidity, and better International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm scores at 6 months, while knee stability was comparable between groups. These findings suggest that the PLT is a reliable alternative to the HT, particularly when preservation of hamstring strength is important.