Who here has busted their ACL?

[everyfrog]

I know everyone is different when it comes to repair and recovery, but I'm looking for thoughts post-surgery with your experience.

 

I tore my left ACL recently. I'm going to have it fixed. My options: patella tendon, hamstring or a cadaver.

 

I tore my right ACL 17 years ago and it was replaced with a patella tendon. Of course, I've experienced the annoying side affect of knee sensitivity to kneeling and feeling swollen. It's gotten better over time, but I don't really want to deal with the same thing in my left knee.

 

One day I think cadaver patella tendon, the next day I think hamstring. I've been talking to surgeons, outdoors folks, physical therapists, and reading sports medicine journals. Everyone has a different opinion.

 

My activities are primarily mountain rescue, backcountry skiing, backpacking and trail and road running.

 

Thoughts? Did you use hamstring or cadaver? How do you feel about the strength in your leg post-surgery? How was it getting back to your activity level?

 

Thanks!

 

 

[christophbenells]

I got a hamstring graft about 5 or 6 years ago. I went to a surgeon who specializes in athletes. My left leg still has bit less muscle mass than the right, but it has the same amount of strength as far as i can tell.

 

Everyone I know who has done the cadaver thing has torn it again right after the "healing" was complete. As far as i know the cadaver grafts do not take quite as well as using one of your own ligaments.

[montypiton]

my wife suffered complete ruptures of BOTH ACLs back in the late eighties (on the same day - skiing "cascade concrete") - she developed and maintained knee stability sufficient to pass all of her orthopedic specialist's (Dr Ed Farrar - Tyler Farrar's dad) tests as "normal" by bicycling several hundred miles per week. three years ago, she started having more trouble with one knee, and had the cadaver repair done. no problems since then; the other remains unrepaired. she continues all of her pre-injury activities except off-piste downhill skiing. her experience suggests that an aggressive cycling program may be more beneficial than whichever repair you elect.

Edited December 20, 2014 by montypiton