Retrospective Study
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World J Orthop. Jul 18, 2014; 5(3): 373-378
Published online Jul 18, 2014. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v5.i3.373
Partial anterior cruciate ligament tears treated with intraligamentary plasma rich in growth factors
Roberto Seijas, Oscar Ares, Xavier Cuscó, Pedro Álvarez, Gilbert Steinbacher, Ramón Cugat
Roberto Seijas, Oscar Ares, Xavier Cuscó, Pedro Álvarez, Ramón Cugat, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fundación García Cugat, Hospital Quirón Barcelona, 08023 Barcelona, Spain
Roberto Seijas, Oscar Ares, Anatomy Department, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08023 Barcelona, Spain
Oscar Ares, Pedro Álvarez, Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08023 Barcelona, Spain
Pedro Álvarez, Gilbert Steinbacher, Ramón Cugat, Mutualitat Catalana de Futbolistes of Spanish Soccer Federation, 08023 Barcelona, Spain
Author contributions: Cugat R designed research; Cugat R, Cuscó X, Steinbacher G, Álvarez P, Ares O and Seijas R performed research; Seijas R analyzed data; Ares O and Seijas R wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Roberto Seijas, MD, PhD, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fundación García Cugat, Hospital Quirón Barcelona, Plaza Alfonso Comín 5-7, 08023 Barcelona, Spain. seijastraumatologia@gmail.com
Telephone: +34-93-2172252 Fax: +34-93-2381634
Received: December 25, 2013
Revised: February 15, 2014
Accepted: April 16, 2014
Published online: July 18, 2014
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the effect of the application of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF)-Endoret to the remaining intact bundle in partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.

METHODS: A retrospective review of the rate of return to play in football players treated with the application of PRGF-Endoret in the remaining intact bundle in partial ACL injuries that underwent surgery for knee instability. Patients with knee instability requiring revision surgery for remnant ACL were selected. PRGF was applied in the wider part of posterolateral bundle and the time it took patients to return to their full sporting activities at the same level before the injury was evaluated.

RESULTS: A total of 19 patients were reviewed. Three had a Tegner activity level of 10 and the remaining 16 level 9. The time between the injury and the time of surgery was 5.78 wk (SD 1.57). In total, 81.75% (16/19) returned to the same pre-injury level of sport activity (Tegner 9-10). 17 males and 2 females were treated. The rate of associated injury was 68.42% meniscal lesions and 26.31% cartilage lesions. The KT-1000 values were normalized in all operated cases. One patient was not able to return to sport due to the extent of their cartilage lesions. The 15 patients with Tegner activity level 9 returned to play at an average of 16.20 wk (SD 1.44) while the 3 patients with Tegner activity level 10 did so in 12.33 wk (SD 1.11).

CONCLUSION: With one remaining intact bundle the application of PRGF-Endoret in instability cases due to partial ACL tear showed high return to sport rates at pre- injury level in professional football players.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament, Plasma rich in growth factors, Platelet-rich plasma, Partial tears anterior cruciate ligament, Platelet-rich plasma

Core tip: The treatment with plasma rich in growth factors during an arthroscopy in cases of partial tears of ACL in soccer players could provide a restoration of function of the knee and return to play rates to pre injury levels in less than 4 mo.