ACL Treatment

C

COskier

Active member
I just found out that I tore my ACL and have been looking into treatment for it. I've seen couple of the options are either to use a portion of the patellar tendon or an ACL from a corpse. I know a bunch of people on this site have torn their ACLs and I'm just wondering how it was treated and how successful it was for you. Plus, any other info is appreciated.
 
I'm about 3 weeks out with an allograft (cadaver) so I can't give you too much insight. I'm sitting here icing down right now literally looking at the slopes...can't wait for next season. My knee is starting to feel better so I am pretty optimistic. Good luck!
 
my friend has a cow ACL and MCL, works pretty good for him, he can never go on a trampoline again though
 
go for the patella, i have had it done on both of my knees, and recovered pretty fast, i think the hamstring might be a good option too, but i think you have to go to physical therapy to get your hamstring in really good shape before they will do surgery, well thats what my doctor told me, yours might be different.
 
What graft to get is a MAJOR point of debate on TGR's gimp central forum. In fact, that sub-forum may be the best source of information on various ACL reconstruction options for laymen on the internet. From there you sill find that it is almost consensus that a graft from your own body (auto graph) is most often the best option for a young person. It is slighly more intrusive and thus painful for the patient but will heal to sporting level stregth quickest and doesn't have the chance of rejection that an allograph (cadaver) has.

It gets a bit more controversial from there. The "gold standard" for streght and recovery time is a opposite knee patella autograph. This carries a bit of a negative conotation with some because it means causing injury to your healthy knee but since you tend to rehab your knees together anyway (think stationary bikes) it is considered the fastest way to getting back to 100%. Pattellla tendons are also considered somewhat stronger than hamstrings and the loosing hamstring strength creates a risk of future knee injury, or so conventional wisdom goes.

That said, it appears techniques have improved and the most common practice is to use a hamstring autograph. In any case, more important than what graft you choose, a good surgeon and dedication to rehab are what will determine your speed and streghth of recovery. Good luck
 
I just had an allograft almost a month ago. I chose it just because I didn't want to risk losing any range of motion by having a hamstring autograft. I have had no problems with the cadaver graft, I have heard patellar grafts have a lot of pain associated with them due to taking out pieces of bone with them. I am sure your surgeon will help guide you along what you should do.
 
i had acl surgery may 12th. I tore my right acl and the doctor took my left patellor tendon to replace my right acl. I would suggests this because i am a good month ahead of one of my friends who had the same thing done but not on the same knee. But definatly go with the petallor tendon instead of the cadaver b/c it is part of your own body and wont get rejected
 
it depends on your health. if you have strong and are in good shape, it would be a good idea to do the hamstring because you know then your new acl will be strong. i have heard a cadaver is very painful, so i would try to stay away from that...
 
Had mine done two weeks ago and they used a hamstring graft. I didn't have the option of any other graft but i know of other people who have had hamstrings used and everything worked out good for them. I think the most important thing would be to get a good surgeon and make sure you do your rehab.
 
Cadaver is not that painful. And they will likely use an achilles tendon, which will be twice as strong as a regular ACL.
 
well his is probably worse than most peoples, he basically 450 to knuckle explosion to mctwist down the landing of a 50 foot table, so it might have something to do with that dunno though. His dad is a doctor too so I would assume he knows whats up
 
take it from your hamstring. I've done mine three times. First was from my hamstring, second and third were from cadavers. The first one seemed like it was the best.

Don't do PCL. You'll never kneel again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top