Overview
This prospective randomized clinical trial aims to compare quadriceps tendon and peroneus longus tendon autografts in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury undergoing primary reconstruction surgery will be randomly assigned to one of the two graft groups. Clinical examination findings, return-to-sport outcomes, ankle muscle strength, ankle-related functional scores, and gait analysis parameters will be evaluated at 6 months and 12 months postoperatively. The study aims to investigate both knee-related functional outcomes and donor site morbidity associated with graft harvesting techniques.
Description
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is one of the most commonly performed orthopedic procedures for restoring knee stability and enabling return to sports activities after ACL injury. Various autograft options have been described for ACL reconstruction, including hamstring tendon, bone-patellar tendon-bone, quadriceps tendon, and more recently, peroneus longus tendon grafts. Each graft option has unique biomechanical characteristics, advantages, and potential donor site morbidities.
Quadriceps tendon autografts have gained increasing popularity because of their adequate graft diameter, favorable biomechanical properties, and relatively low donor site complications. Peroneus longus tendon autografts have also emerged as a promising alternative graft source with satisfactory clinical outcomes and sufficient graft size. However, concerns remain regarding donor site morbidity, particularly potential effects on ankle muscle strength and ankle function following peroneus longus tendon harvesting.
This prospective randomized study aims to compare quadriceps tendon and peroneus longus tendon autografts in patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction. Patients will be randomly assigned into two groups according to graft type. Clinical evaluations, functional knee scores, return-to-sport outcomes, ankle muscle strength assessments, ankle-related functional scores, and gait analysis parameters will be assessed during postoperative follow-up.
Follow-up evaluations will be performed at 6 months and 12 months after surgery. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to graft selection strategies in ACL reconstruction by providing comparative data regarding clinical outcomes, functional recovery, gait characteristics, and donor site morbidity.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients diagnosed with anterior cruciate ligament rupture
- Patients scheduled for primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
- Age between 18 and 50 years
- Ability to provide informed consent
- Willingness to comply with postoperative rehabilitation and follow-up evaluations
Exclusion Criteria:
- Previous ligament reconstruction surgery on the affected knee
- Multi-ligament knee injuries requiring additional ligament reconstruction
- Severe osteoarthritis of the knee
- Revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
- Neuromuscular disorders affecting lower extremity function
- Active infection
- Inability to comply with follow-up protocol
