Short-term Clinical Efficacy Of Platelet-rich Plasma In Arthroscopic Reconstruction Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Purpose:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of the application of platelet rich plasma in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Methods:64 patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury were received arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.They were randomly assigned to two groups.For group A(n=20),they were received standard anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with semitendinosus and gracilis,lateral femoral tunnel injection of lml saline.For group B(n=20),they were received standard anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with semitendinosus and gracilis,lateral femoral tunnel injection of 1ml platelet rich plasma.All patients completed follow-up of 12 months.Clinical outcomes were evaluated using Visual Analogue Score(VAS),International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC)and Lysholm Scores at different follow-up points(1,3,6,andl2 months).Magnetic resonanace imaging(MRI)and computed tomography(CT)images were performed in all cases at 1,6,and 12 months postoperatively to evaluate the femoral bone tunnel diameter,and the integrity of anterior cruciate ligament.Postoperatively,standard rehabilitation protocol was followed with gradual restoration.Results:All patients were followed-up for at least 12 months,the average follow-up period was 12.6±1.7 months.For group A,the mean IKDC score was significantly increased from 26.1±6.0 preoperatively to 90.1±5.4 at 12 months after surgery(p=0.000).The mean Lysholm score was statistically significantly improved from 42.3±6.9 preoperatively to 91.9±3.9 at 12 months after surgery(p=0.000).In addition,VAS was significantly decreased from 4.7±1.5 preoperatively to 1.1±1.3 at 12 months after surgery(p=0.000).For group B,the mean IKDC score was significantly increased from 28.3±6.3 preoperatively to 91.7±5.2 at 12 months after surgery(p=0.000).The mean Lysholm score was statistically significantly improved from 44.6±5.5 preoperatively to 92.5±3.6 at 12 months after surgery(p=0.000).In addition,VAS was significantly decreased from 5.1±1.6 preoperatively to 1.2± 1.2 at 12 months after surgery(p=0.000).There were no statistically significant difference between two groups.The femoral bone tunnel diameter enlargement rate measured by CT was significant less than that in group A(19.4±18.0%vs 29.7113.2%,p=.005).Type I transplanted ligament rate in group B examined by MRI was significant more than that in group A(p=0.0005).Type III transplanted ligament rate in group B examined by MRI was significant less than that in group A(p=0.03).Finally,there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications.Conclusion:The application of platelet rich plasma in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction could improve knee joint function and avoid anterior cruciate ligament bone tunnel expanding.The clinical short-term results were satisfactory.