[Treatment of anterior cruciate ligament injury with peroneus longus tendon].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with peroneus longus tendon and observe the clinical outcomes of ankle joint after the resection of peroneus longus tendon.

Methods: From January 2006 to December 2009, 35 patients with anterior cruciate ligament injuries were recruited to undergo surgical procedures. There were 30 males and 5 females with an average age of 31.8 years (range: 21 - 56). All anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions underwent arthroscopy. All ligaments were reconstructed with peroneus longus tendon and fixed with absorb screw. The post-operative assessments included the followings:clinical evaluations, Lysholm knee score, KT-3000 arthrometer evaluation and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale AOFAS).

Results: All cases were followed up for an average follow-up period of 15 months (range: 12 - 24). The healing time was 6 - 15 weeks.according to the Lysholm knee score, their outcomes were excellent (n = 25), good (n = 6), fair (n = 3) and poor (n = 1). The average score was 97.2 (range: 60 - 100). The rate of excellent and good was 88.6%; according to the KT-3000 arthrometer evaluations, the outcomes were normal (n = 28), nearly normal (n = 4), abnormal (n = 2) and poor (n = 1). Preoperatively, the average anterior displacement was 11.59 ± 1.25 mm and the average anterior displacement at final follow-up 1.76 ± 1.83 mm. The average AOFAS score was 96.3 (range: 84 - 100). Lysholm knee score and KT-3000 arthrometer evaluation had statistical differences (P < 0.05) while AOFAS score showed no difference (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Peroneus longus tendon can be a good substitute of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. And its resection has no major influence for ankle joint.