Possible 2nd ACL surgery

[hapz1]

Hi,

I had torn my ACL about 5 years ago and had surgery approx 3 years ago.
The ligament used for the reconstruction was from my hamstring.

However 3 years on from the surgery, my knee has never felt like it recovered.

I've just seen another consultant and he feels the ligament has either torn again or has over streched. He put me forward for an MRI scan (next wednesday) to be sure.

He also spoke to me about having another surgery on my knee (depending on scan outcome)
He told me about 3 possibilities of reconstructing the ACL,

1) use of patellar tendon
2) using hamstring graft from opposite leg
3) cadaver/allograft

My goal is to be able to play football(soccer) again

Does anyone have any advice?

[Heidi]

Hi

I think all you can do at the moment is wait for the outcome of the MRI.

I am surprised that they used a hamstring graft when you are a footballer. Usually they would use a patella tendon graft, unless you have a job where you are on your knees some of the time (e.g. carpet fitter!). Maybe this is just your surgeons preference, and it probably has had no impact on the reconstruction itself, just the strength of the hamstrings.

If you end up having another reconstruction, I would go with a patella tendon graft. I think that grafts from cadavers/allografts have a lower success rate. Please correct me if I am wrong!

[JHearn911@yahoo.com]

As far as I can tell with all of the research I've done, if you have indeed stretched or torn your ACL Graft, the only option is to surgically correct it. I had ACL reconstruction in January of this year with the Patellar Tendon and I am still having problems, but it says that 90% of patients have the six month rehab period and are fine afterwards. I think that you should definately discuss all of the options in detail with your doc, and if you don't feel 100% about his decision, get a second opinion before you commit to surgery. I don't recommend the donor graft though, especially since you rely on your knee for sports. The allograft has a higher incident of surgical complications, rejection, and future tearing. I also agree that the patellar tendon is the best option, but hopefully you don't have as many problems with your rehab!