Case Series

Mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament: can platelet-rich plasma combined with reductionplasty provide better results?

Additional Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, AIIMS Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342005, India

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Kishor Munde

*Author for correspondence:

E-mail Address: drkishormunde@gmail.com

Senior Resident, Department of Orthopaedics, AIIMS Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342005, India

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Kishor Kunal

Senior Resident, Department of Orthopaedics, AIIMS Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342005, India

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Published Online:15 Jun 2022https://doi.org/10.2217/rme-2022-0009

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Abstract

Introduction: Mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is commonly treated with arthroscopic debridement of the ACL. But many studies have reported the weakening and laxity of ACL postoperatively and on follow-up. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is known to influence musculoskeletal healing through multiple growth factors. Methodology: Five patients who were diagnosed as a case of mucoid degeneration of the ACL based on MRI, over a period of 1 year (December 2018–2019), were included in the study. Autologous PRP, prepared by double spin protocol, was injected into the remaining ACL after partial debridement was done. Results: Visual analogue scale and Lysholm scores improved compared with preoperative scores, along with strength (anterior drawer test and Lachman test). Conclusion: PRP can be used to improve the healing and strength of a weakened ACL after partial debridement, but further research is needed to demonstrate its efficacy.

Plain language summary

Mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee can cause knee pain and other symptoms. For treatment of this, partial removing of bulky ACL is generally done, which causes weakness of the ACL. Nowadays, orthobiologics such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are increasingly used in ligament surgeries to improve healing. This study used PRP to augment the weakened ACL and followed patients for 1 year to assess outcomes. The results found improved functional scores and pain scores compared with preoperative levels. As this improvement might not be entirely due to PRP, high-end comparative studies are needed to confirm its efficacy.

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Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest

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Vol. 17, No. 9

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History

Received 13 January 2022

Accepted 25 May 2022

Published online 15 June 2022

Published in print September 2022

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Keywords

Author contributions

S Banerjee: Substantial contributions to the conception, drafting the work interpretation of data for the work, agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. K Munde: Substantial contributions to the design of the work, analysis of the data for work, agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. K Kunal: Substantial contributions to the conception, drafting the work, interpretation of data for the work, agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. The authors state that they have obtained verbal and written informed consent from the patient/patients for the inclusion of their medical and treatment history within this case series.

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