February 16th, 2013 at 6:35 PM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 5:10 PM ^
visortho.com
Lots of great information from people who deal with this all the time
February 16th, 2013 at 5:15 PM ^
But seriously, I have ACLs done on both knees. Did patella graft on one, and hamstring with the other. Looking back I would have done patella on the other knee too. My hamstring has never been the same since the surgery.
And get surgery. I went two years without surgery on my left knee after tearing my ACL (long story), and really messed it up. Ended up badly tearing my meniscus as well and having to lose a chunk off it. I am fully resigned to arthritis by 40. I just hope they have some awesome replacement knee by then and I can finally be part-transformer :)
But post-surgery has been fine. There are still random aches and pains and the knee never got back to feeling completely normal, but I play sports, can run around, and have no problems with instability or anything else. The rehab is long, and it sucks, but really really push yourself. The key to full recovery and getting your strength back is being diligent about your rehab.
February 16th, 2013 at 5:31 PM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 7:08 PM ^
Don't even consder this.
February 16th, 2013 at 9:21 PM ^
this guy. Find a surgeon you can trust and do the technique he recommends. Graft placement trumps graft choice.
February 16th, 2013 at 5:24 PM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 5:26 PM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 5:31 PM ^
Make sure you consult with us again before making a final decision. Good luck sir.
February 16th, 2013 at 5:33 PM ^
And do the best job rehabbing that you humanly can. I got one repaired in high school and the other one repaired in college in '02. I did a much better job rehabbing the second, and I can still tell the difference with ease today.
February 16th, 2013 at 5:50 PM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 5:59 PM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 6:05 PM ^
February 17th, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 6:11 PM ^
1. Set out the rest of the season
2. Get a fresh new high top fade.
3. Declare for the NBA draft.
4. ??????
5. Profit
February 16th, 2013 at 6:12 PM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 6:19 PM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 6:22 PM ^
I tore my PCL,MCL,ACL and my Patellar Tendon at the same time when I was 22, 6 knee surgeries later and it still isn't right.
February 16th, 2013 at 6:48 PM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 7:50 PM ^
I used to treat soldiers at Fort Benning. Nice jump school injury, their leg gets caught up in the cord. ACL, PCL, MCL, and med/lat meniscus. That was a sucky injury. Basically ended their careers.
February 16th, 2013 at 6:30 PM ^
It did take 18 months for my hamstring to recover but it never hurt, it was just weaker. And you can't start rehabbing your hamstring until after the 6 weeks so since I was done with rehab by then I never really did anything to strengthen it.
Knee itself feels as good as new and doctor said its 3 x stronger than my native ACL. Good luck!
February 16th, 2013 at 6:34 PM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 6:42 PM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 6:50 PM ^
Do the surgery, follow the doctor's instructions. If they tell you not to walk on it, then don't. Do the PT, do your exercises at home.
Shower the morning before surgery, because you may not be able to for a few weeks after. (that really sucked...)
As soon as you can after surgery, get Vitamin E gel caps. Pop (as in break open) one a day and smear it all over your incision. My doc couldn't believe how fast my incision healed and how good it looked. Oh, and if you don't want a scar (minimize it anyway), keep the incision out of the sun as long as you can.
You're going to build up scar tissue from inactivity, so when there's a terrible ripping noise in PT after the surgery, don't freak.
Don't rush the PT after the fact or you'll get tendonitis and back to crutches you go.
Hopefully your tear won't be as bad as mine was, I was on crutches for like a year. :( Anyway, there's a summary of my ACL tear experience. Good luck!
February 16th, 2013 at 7:03 PM ^
I had two ACL surgeries; my right knee at UM at age 19 and my left knee in Chicago at age 25. I had the patellar tendon repair on both knees and currently have zero pain and am fully active. That's the way to go if you want to continue being mobile (basketball, skiing, similar cutting sports). Usually you are ready for activity 6 months after surgery, usually you start physical therapy immediately after surgery
Dr. Bruce Miller at the university of Michigan hospital was excellent. Harvard MD and under graduate, he's the head team physician for the hockey team I believe.
I currently live in Chicago and Dr. Bach operated on my other knee.
https://www.rushortho.com/Bernard_Bach.cfm
Good luck!
February 16th, 2013 at 9:07 PM ^
and didn't know it. I was transported down the mountain, and after a few weeks on crutches, I got better and had it checked by the same ortho who did Bo Jackson's hip. He found my knee to be stable and to continue my rehab- if it worsened I would get an MRI and possibly have it scoped. Within 5-6 months I was almost normal (just some discomfort on deep knee bends) and within 9 months it was completely normal. I ran marathons, played squash, skiied, cycled, etc. without a problem for nearly 17 years. Cycling in particular (I ride centuries) probably stabilized my knee so that I didn't know I had ruptured my ACL.
Two years ago I slipped on some ice and felt something pull in my knee- it hurt like hell, but I walked it off- it didn't swell, and I went skiing the next day without any problem. BUT, I started having these little "incidents" with my knee, and eventually it worsened to the point where I had an MRI and it was "hey, did you know you have an old, total ACL rupture?" It continued to worsen, and I had the reconstruction surgery. I chose a cadaver graft because a) I am over 50 b) I am not a high-level football or basketball player. Cadaver graft has a much faster and less painful recovery.
It was the best thing I ever did- I had to give up running, but I now spend more time cycling. It was also the impetus to drop 30 lbs (better to avoid a total knee sometime in the future).
It really depends on how your knee is, and it's too soon to tell. If it is at all unstable, get the surgery because with an unstable knee you run the risk of further damage to the menicus and collateral ligaments. Cadaver vs autograft is a decision best made between you and your orthopedist. There are arguments either way. If I were Blake Countess I would absolutely have chosen an autograft.
February 16th, 2013 at 8:05 PM ^
I didn't read all the posts but' I'm an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in sports med. Typically an active 35 yo would get the ACL reconstructed. Under 40 I still recommend using an autograft. Cadaver could be an option however there is a higher failure rate under 40. Unless you are a professional football player, there is essentially no diference in hamstring vs BTB in terms of outcome. They each have their advantages and disadvantages. Some surgeons have a preference based on their skills or outcomes. I personally do whatever the patients wants after they have all the information. I also send all patients to "prehab" prior to surgery to relieve swelling, gain full range of motion and strength. This is essential to a good outcome. Good luck. If you are in Ann Arbor, Bruce Miller is excellent.
February 16th, 2013 at 8:37 PM ^
I would encourage you to repair it at your age.
You are active and have many years ahead of you.
Next to full recovery would be expected.
Dr. Ostrander and Dr. Andrews are top notch. If you're in the panhandle region.
Best of luck to you.
February 17th, 2013 at 11:15 AM ^
February 17th, 2013 at 11:33 AM ^
February 17th, 2013 at 11:34 AM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 8:39 PM ^
The results of the second allograft have been very disappointing. I don't want a third surgery so I am dealing with it.
Not sure if you recall, the ex Purdue coach pulled a scholarship offer from a kid very close to signing day a couple of years ago after they discovered he had the ACL repaired with an allograft. They said studies and their experience indicated allografts had a much higher failure rate.
After living through this I would definitely agree and NEVER recommend any go with the allograft.
Hope this helps and your recovery goes well.
February 16th, 2013 at 11:41 PM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 9:43 PM ^
February 16th, 2013 at 10:33 PM ^
I just had a torn meniscus repaired by a great sports med guy specializing in knees. Couldn't be happier with Lawrence Lieber of M&M Orthapedics (and played hockey with one of his partner's sons, which is the referral I went by).
February 16th, 2013 at 11:05 PM ^
February 17th, 2013 at 1:54 AM ^
February 17th, 2013 at 4:57 AM ^
deer spray
February 17th, 2013 at 6:17 AM ^
The fact this is probably a made-up story (the skiing part; you probably hurt your knee falling down the stairs while carrying a six pack of PBR and your TV dinner), and the usual MgoCircleJerk made-up shit, this is rally one of the funniest threads on this board in years.
February 17th, 2013 at 11:37 AM ^
February 17th, 2013 at 10:38 AM ^
February 17th, 2013 at 11:39 AM ^
February 17th, 2013 at 12:31 PM ^
Valentine's Day was 8 months post-op for me. Tore my ACL and meniscus last February playing basketball. Initially didnt think much of it and about 6 weeks later after the swelling resided I was back playing basketball until I landed with all my weight on it and it gave out again. MRI revealed the damage and I opted for surgery.
My doctor recommended the patella graft so that's the route we took. Im only 29 and still pretty active so it was the best choice. Biggest advice I can give is to stay diligent on the rehab. I only went to PT twice a week, but each visit they gave me exercises to do at home and I kept to a strict 3-times daily routine of rehab at home. After two months I was nearly back to 100% full range of motion and just had to work on strenthening my leg muscles. I didnt do any 'prehab' (doctor never mentioned it so maybe he didnt think it was necessary) but looking back I wish I would have now. The amount of muscle lost through atrophy is incredible.
So far no issues. Started playing bball again about a month ago. Just taking it slow and half-ass guarding guys in pick up ball but it feels good to be back out there. Few downsides to the patella option are the numbness you get on the outer part of the knee due to the nerves being cut when they slice you open to take the patella tendon. Also, it's hard to put pressure/kneel on that knee. Just feels really weird and it probably something I will have to get used to over time. Doctor said it may go away, it may not.
The first few weeks will be the hardest, after that you will start to notice daily improvements and see your rehab paying off. Good luck!