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Types of ACL Reconstructions

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B.Aussie
Posts: 5852 - Karma: 4,531
I've just "exploded" my ACL and am getting a reco in a week.
Was just wondering what are the different typs of ACL recos?
I'm getting my hamstring tendon graft, which apparently is better for girls and high performance skiers for a quick recovery. (Anyone know why?). What other types are there?
And what are the advantages?
Feb 10 2011 7:21PM
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B.Aussie
Posts: 5852 - Karma: 4,531
Also i've only done my ACL, and some bone bruising does this mean it will heal faster than the typical reco with no other meniscal or ligament damage?
Feb 10 2011 7:28PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
oh no, brooke :(
im sorry, hope you have a speedy recovery!
Feb 10 2011 7:28PM
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flexpattern
Posts: 1090 - Karma: 45
Nasty! Hope you recover soon! I tweaked my knee the other day and was pretty worried; but it seems okay now... How did you do it?
Feb 10 2011 7:34PM
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youRsmellA
Posts: 349 - Karma: 236
The other common procedure is using a piece of your patella tendon, I've had this on both my knees and it all went perfectly. There is also a cadaver option but no one wants that. Hamstring procedure will leave you with less noticeable scars on your skin. I've heard a lot of different things from different doctors about which is 'better.' From what I've seen of my friends surgeries they are pretty much equal. Your doctor probably takes into account which one he is better at when he recommends one to you too.
Feb 10 2011 7:36PM
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alexg1687
Posts: 1505 - Karma: 1,581
damn! sorry to hear that!

there are a few different types. depending on where you tore it they can just sew it down. thats the safest option and the least intrusive. its literally a 25 min operation. alternatively you can just leave it and let it heal itself, although you'll never be able to race skier cross as hard again.

the other option which you mentioned is a replacement of the acl with a hamstring tendon. i think they can use other ones too but i dont know enough about it. i do know that it involves drilling through the anterior face of the tibia upwards through the top of the bone, then the same downwards through the femur, creating a channel for the new tendon to grip. google images of it, its really amazing.

despite what most people say its not the most traumatic knee operation you can have. my patellar realignment in november was far worse. longer recovery, more muscle wastage and significantly more invasive surgery.
Feb 10 2011 9:12PM
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B.Aussie
Posts: 5852 - Karma: 4,531
I was in a ski cross race and knuckled a 60fter didn't crash but my knee just "exploded" underneath me. Finished and qualified 3rd which I was stoked on though haha
Also fractured my ankle, got severe bone bruising usually associated with a Fibia plateau fracture soo lucky I didn't do that and fucked my other knee but luckily that doesn't need surgery. Overall got the best possibly outcome of the crash being just ACL and no other ligament or meniscal damage so if all goes to plan will be back on snow in 6 months.
Feb 13 2011 1:51AM
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pjbauer
Posts: 2148 - Karma: 495
check ya pm
Feb 13 2011 2:15AM
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ben-jamm-in
Posts: 344 - Karma: 174
I was in a ski cross race and knuckled a 60fter didn't crash but my knee just "exploded" underneath me. Finished and qualified 3rd which I was stoked on though haha


You're tellin me you stomped this "60ftr" and made it across the finish line w an "exploded" acl? impressive!
Feb 13 2011 2:21AM
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pRETTyLight5
Posts: 500 - Karma: 85

I'm getting my hamstring tendon graft, which apparently is better for girls and high performance skiers for a quick recovery. (Anyone know why?). What other types are there?
And what are the advantages?

Hamstring is the right choice for you. Cadaver graft is more commonly used in the aging population (or 5 years ago) because they are too old to recover from having their own muscle used as a ligament. you might have a slightly increased recovery time (dont change your choice of graft bc of this tho) because of it but you can also expect to come back to 95% of your strength. Ive had my own experience with this and i study it at school too so keep askin questions!
Feb 13 2011 8:31AM
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Greenish
Posts: 2047 - Karma: 367
I just had my second ACL reconstruction a month ago (used my left hamstring first time, right hamstring this time) and the recovery is pretty good. It pretty much takes 6 months when theres an ACL reconstruction. It will probably be less painful and the first few weeks of recovery should go a bit more smoothly since you didn't do any meniscus or MCL. Its also bettter in the long run to have just done straight ACL ie knee replacements later in life

If you have any other specific questions ask away


Feb 13 2011 9:57AM
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hank_hill
Posts: 1273 - Karma: 217
i just had a patellar graft Wednesday
Feb 13 2011 10:54AM
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B.Aussie
Posts: 5852 - Karma: 4,531
Thanks for all the info guys, 10/10 K for all of you. Going in for surgery today, should be okay managed to get my leg straight and bending to 60 degrees before surgery which is good.
Feb 20 2011 6:06PM
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Nadia.
Posts: 1124 - Karma: 1,104

I've had two hamstring tendon ACL repairs done on both my knees, 4 and 7 years ago. They both held up through racing SX, and 50ft cliffs on skis. Patellar tendon can lead to patellar tendonitis. Since they harvested 1/3 of your hammy tendonds its super important during your recovery to strengthen your hamstrings even moreso than before. ACL injuries usually result when there is  an imbalance/lack of strength and different factors like pilot error, conditions, etc. Usually in women the quads overpower the hammies.. so yeah, lots of hamstring curls in your future!

Feb 20 2011 6:50PM
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Z-Juice
Posts: 3151 - Karma: 1,504
All I know is that MCL reconstructions are a pain
Feb 20 2011 7:58PM
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NWPA
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 165
Ill be getting a patellar graft next week
Feb 20 2011 8:13PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
when youre recovered, straight leg deadlifts are a better option to stengthen hammies, because teh work the whole posterior chain
Feb 20 2011 9:25PM
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rachie.b
Posts: 183 - Karma: 380
I would get hamstring. I got this and it's healing mighty fine. Every doc I went to told me no cadaver because as you get older it will deteriorate and your body has a higher chance of rejecting it. Goodluck.
Feb 20 2011 9:52PM
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Nadia.
Posts: 1124 - Karma: 1,104
Or better yet do both, haha. I do lots of olympic lifts, but I used to ski race. Doubt many girls are doing deadlifts with their cardio routines. Single leg curls are good because its an indication of if you're at strength at full range ass to heel, etc. Granted, you can lift a lot more with deadlifts and get more overall strength from it... so yeah, both. :p
Feb 20 2011 9:53PM
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Zimmerman
Posts: 6992 - Karma: 1,021
Going through the exact same thing. Hamstring is your best bet. Shortest recovery time and best results. unfortunately mine was too short so they had to use the cadaver. Patellar is now considered barbaric due to the surgery required. Definitely go with the hamstring with a cadaver backup just in case.

Good luck. These injuries suck and ACL's are time bombs. Do everything your doc/PT tells you to and nothing they tell you not to. That's my opinion on this. I'm currently recovering from my reco.


Feb 20 2011 10:17PM
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C.Royce
Posts: 1031 - Karma: 187
don't go with cadaver... i had one and it failed.. i actually have had both knees fixed with cadavers. the left is really lose and the right blew last year when i over shot a jump (wearing a custom knee brace). i got it fixed w/ a patellar tendon which i was happy about until it blew again this year on my only fall of the whole year during a rail jam. i am now on my 4th ACL reconstruction and have to do hamstring. good luck with your knees. take care of them.
Feb 21 2011 6:51AM
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Dick*Bandit
Posts: 858 - Karma: 492
played football in highschool, got tackled did in my acl, pcl, cartilage, mcl... the whole deal. i got my patilla tendon graft for mine. idn what the difference is i just got the regular one. i know that my friend got his done differently cuz hes playing lax in college but its the one nfl players get.. the scar is tiny and on the left of the knee cap. i was running before surgery, and was running at about 3 months... about 4 or 5 months later... playing again. it sucks but thats life i guess.
Feb 23 2011 11:30PM
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technique.
Posts: 1538 - Karma: 308
just tore my ACL too

+VIBES OP
Feb 24 2011 12:47AM
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Travapple.
Posts: 6787 - Karma: 88
make sure you rehab that bish like a mofo! itll reaally help you in the long run
Feb 24 2011 12:52AM
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