Comparative Study of Hamstring Graft Healing Time after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Augmentation of Platelet-Rich Plasma

Article Information

DS Bhamare, Girish Nathani*, Ishan Shevate, Nachiketa Parikh

Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India

*Corresponding Author: Girish Nathani, Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Received: 06 December 2019; Accepted: 15 December 2019; Published: 21 December 2019

Citation: DS Bhamare, Girish Nathani, Ishan Shevate, Nachiketa Parikh. Comparative study of hamstring graft healing time after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with augmentation of platelet-rich plasma. Journal of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine 1 (2019): 093-097.

Share at Facebook

Abstract

Aim: To Compare hamstring graft healing time after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with the use of augmentation of platelet-rich plasma.

Methods: 30 patients between age group of 18 to 40 years with complete ACL tear were randomly divided into two groups the control group in which only ACL reconstruction was done and second group in which acl reconstruction was performed along with augmentation with Platelet rich plasma. For the PRP group, 3 ml of PRP was obtained in the operation room and was injected into femoral tunnel just before after portal suture. MRI was obtained post operatively 3 month, 6 month and 9th month for both the groups. Graft healing time was defined as the time taken for the graft to reach ligamentization phase when the graft became hyperintense or was visualised similar to PCL or the remnant which was preserved during reconstruction.

 Results: Patients in PRP augmented group achieved ligamentization phase significantly earlier as compared to those in the control group, with mean time of 3.4 months as compared to 8.1 months in the control group.

Conclusion: PRP helps in faster healing of the Hamstring graft. However further studies are required to correlate graft healing time with return to previous activity.

Keywords

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, Hamstring graft, Platelet-rich plasma, Sports injury, Ligamentization, Biological augmentation

Anterior cruciate ligament articles Anterior cruciate ligament Research articles Anterior cruciate ligament review articles Anterior cruciate ligament PubMed articles Anterior cruciate ligament PubMed Central articles Anterior cruciate ligament 2023 articles Anterior cruciate ligament 2024 articles Anterior cruciate ligament Scopus articles Anterior cruciate ligament impact factor journals Anterior cruciate ligament Scopus journals Anterior cruciate ligament PubMed journals Anterior cruciate ligament medical journals Anterior cruciate ligament free journals Anterior cruciate ligament best journals Anterior cruciate ligament top journals Anterior cruciate ligament free medical journals Anterior cruciate ligament famous journals Anterior cruciate ligament Google Scholar indexed journals Sports articles Sports Research articles Sports review articles Sports PubMed articles Sports PubMed Central articles Sports 2023 articles Sports 2024 articles Sports Scopus articles Sports impact factor journals Sports Scopus journals Sports PubMed journals Sports medical journals Sports free journals Sports best journals Sports top journals Sports free medical journals Sports famous journals Sports Google Scholar indexed journals Knee articles Knee Research articles Knee review articles Knee PubMed articles Knee PubMed Central articles Knee 2023 articles Knee 2024 articles Knee Scopus articles Knee impact factor journals Knee Scopus journals Knee PubMed journals Knee medical journals Knee free journals Knee best journals Knee top journals Knee free medical journals Knee famous journals Knee Google Scholar indexed journals Osteoarthritis articles Osteoarthritis Research articles Osteoarthritis review articles Osteoarthritis PubMed articles Osteoarthritis PubMed Central articles Osteoarthritis 2023 articles Osteoarthritis 2024 articles Osteoarthritis Scopus articles Osteoarthritis impact factor journals Osteoarthritis Scopus journals Osteoarthritis PubMed journals Osteoarthritis medical journals Osteoarthritis free journals Osteoarthritis best journals Osteoarthritis top journals Osteoarthritis free medical journals Osteoarthritis famous journals Osteoarthritis Google Scholar indexed journals PRP injection articles PRP injection Research articles PRP injection review articles PRP injection PubMed articles PRP injection PubMed Central articles PRP injection 2023 articles PRP injection 2024 articles PRP injection Scopus articles PRP injection impact factor journals PRP injection Scopus journals PRP injection PubMed journals PRP injection medical journals PRP injection free journals PRP injection best journals PRP injection top journals PRP injection free medical journals PRP injection famous journals PRP injection Google Scholar indexed journals Spinal anaesthesia articles Spinal anaesthesia Research articles Spinal anaesthesia review articles Spinal anaesthesia PubMed articles Spinal anaesthesia PubMed Central articles Spinal anaesthesia 2023 articles Spinal anaesthesia 2024 articles Spinal anaesthesia Scopus articles Spinal anaesthesia impact factor journals Spinal anaesthesia Scopus journals Spinal anaesthesia PubMed journals Spinal anaesthesia medical journals Spinal anaesthesia free journals Spinal anaesthesia best journals Spinal anaesthesia top journals Spinal anaesthesia free medical journals Spinal anaesthesia famous journals Spinal anaesthesia Google Scholar indexed journals Tibial tunnel articles Tibial tunnel Research articles Tibial tunnel review articles Tibial tunnel PubMed articles Tibial tunnel PubMed Central articles Tibial tunnel 2023 articles Tibial tunnel 2024 articles Tibial tunnel Scopus articles Tibial tunnel impact factor journals Tibial tunnel Scopus journals Tibial tunnel PubMed journals Tibial tunnel medical journals Tibial tunnel free journals Tibial tunnel best journals Tibial tunnel top journals Tibial tunnel free medical journals Tibial tunnel famous journals Tibial tunnel Google Scholar indexed journals Patellar tendon articles Patellar tendon Research articles Patellar tendon review articles Patellar tendon PubMed articles Patellar tendon PubMed Central articles Patellar tendon 2023 articles Patellar tendon 2024 articles Patellar tendon Scopus articles Patellar tendon impact factor journals Patellar tendon Scopus journals Patellar tendon PubMed journals Patellar tendon medical journals Patellar tendon free journals Patellar tendon best journals Patellar tendon top journals Patellar tendon free medical journals Patellar tendon famous journals Patellar tendon Google Scholar indexed journals Hamstrings articles Hamstrings Research articles Hamstrings review articles Hamstrings PubMed articles Hamstrings PubMed Central articles Hamstrings 2023 articles Hamstrings 2024 articles Hamstrings Scopus articles Hamstrings impact factor journals Hamstrings Scopus journals Hamstrings PubMed journals Hamstrings medical journals Hamstrings free journals Hamstrings best journals Hamstrings top journals Hamstrings free medical journals Hamstrings famous journals Hamstrings Google Scholar indexed journals Collagen fragmentation articles Collagen fragmentation Research articles Collagen fragmentation review articles Collagen fragmentation PubMed articles Collagen fragmentation PubMed Central articles Collagen fragmentation 2023 articles Collagen fragmentation 2024 articles Collagen fragmentation Scopus articles Collagen fragmentation impact factor journals Collagen fragmentation Scopus journals Collagen fragmentation PubMed journals Collagen fragmentation medical journals Collagen fragmentation free journals Collagen fragmentation best journals Collagen fragmentation top journals Collagen fragmentation free medical journals Collagen fragmentation famous journals Collagen fragmentation Google Scholar indexed journals

Article Details

1. Introduction

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is most common injury occurring in various sports like soccer basketball and other outdoor sports [1] and are usually operated as it causes instability of the knee and early osteoarthritis [2]. United States has approved use of Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for enhancing regeneration of tissue in bone, cartilage, ligaments [3-9]. The ligamentization process of the graft usually takes anywhere between 6 months to 1 year, which can be correlated on magnetic resonance imaging as isointensity with PCL10. This can be also confirmed histologically but taking a biopsy of the ligament makes it an invasive procedure [11-13]. We evaluated graft healing time as the ligamentization of hamstring graft using MRI after ACL reconstruction with or without PRP injection.

2. Materials and Methods

Between May 2018 to May 2019 30 patients between 18 to 40 years of age with complete ACL tear were randomly divided and undergone ACL reconstruction with quadruple hamstring graft with or without PRP injection. Patients who had signed the consent form, with or without an associated meniscal tear, with duration of injury less than 6 months and the patients had full range of motion pre operatively. Patients who were excluded were the patients with concurrent Posterior Cruciate Ligament injury, with previous knee surgery or injury, patients who had knee infection, skin lessions near knee joint like psoriasis eczema, patients with metabolic bone disease, neoplasm. The institutional ethics committee’s approval was taken prior to study. Both the groups underwent surgery by the same group of surgeons and the postoperative rehabilitation was also identical. Diagnostic knee arthroscopy was performed under spinal anaesthesia followed by ipsilateral hamstring graft (semitendinosus and gracilis) harvesting which was quadrupled. Femoral tunnel was drilled with the help of an femoral offset and the average femoral tunnel diameter was 9 mm. Tibial tunnel was being drilled with 55º angle guide with an average tibial diameter of 9 mm. The reconstructed graft was fixed on the femoral side with the help of suspensory fixation with a titanium button whereas Hydroxyapatite screws were used as fixation device in tibia.For the PRP group in addition to standard reconstuction, 10 ml of whole blood was obtained from cubital vein and was centrifuged at 3200 rpm for 15 mins and around 3 ml of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) was obtained which was injected into the femoral tunnel just after completing the fixation and lavage of the joint. No drain was put post operatively. Postoperatively, patient was mobilised on 1st day after surgery and gradual and measured knee range of motion exercise were done obtaining flexion upto 90-110º till suture removal which was done on 14th days. However the patient was mobilised non weight bearing with a knee brace and walker. At week 4, progressive weight-bearing was started as per patients pain tolerance. Shallow water swimming was started at 6th week, outdoor cycling at 3rd month, running was started progresively at 4th month and gradual return to sports was done at 9th month. 3 Tesla MRI was one at 3 , 6, and 9 months post surgery. Graft ligamentization of all the patients was observed by same radiologist blinded to treatment. The 2 groups were compared using the Chisquare test and p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

3. Results

Both the groups did not differ significantly in terms of age, sex, graft width, graft length, tunnel diameters, fixation devices, post operative protocol. Patients in the PRP augmented group attained ligamentization early (mean time 3.4 month) as compared to the control group which was not augmented (mean time 8.1 month) with a range from 2 months to 5 months for PRP augmented group and 4 months to 11 months for the control group. We did not encounter any complication in either of the group.

Groups

Control group (A)

PRP augmented group (B)

Number of pateints

15

15

Minimum time for healing

4 months

2 months

Maximum time for healing

11 months

5 months

Mean time

8.1 month

3.4 month

4. Discussion

ACL reconstruction stabilises the knee joint and restores the function of the knee joint back [12]. Patellar tendon, hamstrings, peroneus longus, allografts, synthetic tendons are the various grafts which can used for ACL reconstruction [12] at our centre we prefer Hamstring grafts unless otherwise indicated. Initialy there is phase of hypocellularity due to necrosis because of loss of blood supply and collagen fragmentation. This continues till revascularisation takes place by the synovial cover at the tendon bone contact points in both the tunnels and cellularisation takes place (about 1 year post surgery) [13]. Complete graft healing takes around 1 year in humans when the vascularity and fibre pattern appears to be as close to normal as possible12. On histological examination of a patellar tendon graft, revasularisation was noted at 2nd month whereas the structure similar to native tissue was seen at 4th to 5th month 11. Therefore, to prevent graft failure aggressive physiotherapy is be avoided in the 1st month of healing [14]. To diagnose the ACL injury and to evaluate reconstruction MRI plays a very important role as it is an accurate and non invasive tool [15, 16]. MRI can also be used to evaluate the stage of graft healing [17]. In this study, ligamentization stage was used to evaluate the graft healing time. The application of various biological methods for promoting tissue healing has increased, especially the use of autologous Platelet Rich Growth Factors [8, 18, 19]. The tissue repair occurs by angiogenesis, tissue proliferation, and extracellular matrix formation. The healing process is also associated with mechanical stress on the tendon [8]. PRGF has various mediators which take an important role in tissue healing namely transforming growth factor-1 (TGF-1), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epithelial growth factor (EGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) [8]. Out of these PDGF, TGF-1 and few TGF subtypes are responsible for the acceleration of tissue healing and increased graft tension [18]. Collagen production and proliferation in human tenocytes is stimulated by PRP [5] whereas tensile force and resistance of the graft is increase by TGF-1, TGF-2, and TGF-3 [17]. Fibroblast synthesis and increased collagen formation is found in canine graft because of Growth Factors and EGF [20]. Biochemical properties is increased by PRGF [6]. Recovey was observed faster in the patients suffering with Tendo Achillis tendon injury after PRGF Injection [8]. Significant pain relief and functional improvement was seen in cuff repair surgery patients when treated with PRP [7]. PRGF decreases the time take to recover in cases of medial collateral ligament injury in soccer players [2]. Based on the this MRI was done to compare the graft healing time with and without augmentation which showed quicker healing when augmented with PRP. Limitation of the study was it was solely based on MRI findings and didn’t take into account the clinical outcome.

References

  1. Xie X, Zhao S, Wu H, et al. Platelet-rich plasma enhances autograft revascularization and reinnervation in a dog model of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Journal of Surgical Research 183 (2013): 214-222.
  2. Magnussen RA, Carey JL, Spindler KP. Does autograft choice determine intermediate term outcome of ACL reconstruction? Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 19 (2011): 462-472.
  3. Foster TE, Puskas BL, Mandelbaum BR, et al. Platelet-rich plasma: from basic science to clinical applications. Am J Sports Med 37 (2009): 2259-2272.
  4. Aspenberg P, Virchenko O. Platelet concentrate injection improves Achilles tendon repair in rats. Acta Orthop Scand 75 (2004): 93-99.
  5. de Mos M, van der Windt AE, Jahr H, et al. Can platelet-rich plasma enhance tendon repair? A cell culture study. Am J Sports Med 36 (2008): 1171-1178.
  6. Kondo E, Yasuda K, Yamanaka M, et al. Effects of administration of exogenous growth factors on biomechanical properties of the elongation-type anterior cruciate ligament injury with partial laceration. Am J Sports Me 33 (2005): 188-196.
  7. Randelli PS, Arrigoni P, Cabitza P, et al. Autologous platelet rich plasma for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. A pilot study. Disabil Rehabil 30 (2008): 1584-1589.
  8. Sanchez M, Anitua E, Azofra J, et al. Comparison of surgically repaired Achilles tendon tears using platelet-rich fibrin matrices. Am J Sports Med 35 (2007): 245-251.
  9. Schnabel LV, Mohammed HO, Miller BJ, et al. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) enhances anabolic gene expression patterns in flexor digitorum superficialis tendons. J Orthop Res 25 2007): 230-240.
  10. Weiler A, Forster C, Hunt P, et al. The influence of locally applied platelet-derived growth factor-BB on free tendon graft remodeling after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Am J Sports Med 32 (2004): 881-891.
  11. Alm A, Liljedahl SO, Stromberg B. Clinical and experimental experience in reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. Orthop Clin North Am 7 (1976): 181-189.
  12. Falconiero RP, DiStefano VJ, Cook TM. Revascularization and ligamentization of autogenous anterior cruciate ligament grafts in humans. Arthroscopy 14 (1998): 197-205.
  13. Arnoczky SP, Tarvin GB, Marshall JL. Anterior cruciate ligament replacement using patellar tendon. An evaluation of graft revascularization in the dog. J Bone Joint Surg Am 64 (1982): 217-224.
  14. Rougraff BT, Shelbourne KD. Early histologic appearance of human patellar tendon autografts used for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 7 (1999): 9-14.
  15. Rak RM, Gillogly SD, Schaefer RA, et al. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: evaluation with MR imaging. Radiology 178 (1991): 553-556.
  16. Maywood RM, Murphy BJ, Uribe JW, et al. Evaluation of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using magnetic resonance imaging. Am J Sports Med 21 (1993): 523-527.
  17. Anderson K, Seneviratne AM, Izawa K, et al. Augmentation of tendon healing in an intraarticular bone tunnel with use of a bone growth factor. Am J Sports Med 29 (2001): 689-698.
  18. Radice F, Yanez R, Gutierrez V, et al. Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging findings in anterior cruciate ligament grafts with and without autologous platelet-derived growth factors. Arthroscopy 26 (2010): 50-57.
  19. Wang-Saegusa A, Cugat R, Ares O, et al. Infiltration of plasma rich in growth factors for osteoarthritis of the knee short-term effects on function and quality of life. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 131 (2011): 311-317.
  20. Yasuda K, Tomita F, Yamazaki S, et al. The effect of growth factors on biomechanical properties of the bone-patellar tendon-bone graft after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a canine model study. Am J Sports Med 32 (2004): 870-880.

© 2016-2024, Copyrights Fortune Journals. All Rights Reserved