The ACL Repair Forum Firsthand accounts of ACL surgery and recovery

1. 

   shana
   Member
   Posted 9 months ago #
   

   I had my second opinion today and the doctor said he would do a cadaver graft or hamstring graft on my knee- leaning more towards cadaver. I asked about the patellar graft and he said he doesn't reccommend those for females since they tend to have a lot more knee pain after the surgery for many yrs due to the graft position. Has anyone else been told that?

   Also he has patients start rehab a week after surgery and not 2 days later but he does prescribe a CPM machine and at home exercises, he doesn't really feel starting rehab 2 days after surgery is necessary- he says it causes more unecessary pain.

   What I am now realizing is that doctors don't all have the same answer and do things there own preferred way which makes choosing a doctor a million times more difficult!

2. 

   MikeM
   Member
   Posted 9 months ago #
   

   My doctor said that if you are under 40, the cadaver has a 25% failure rate; a patellar graft has 5% (he did not specific male over female). I think PT people will want you in sooner rather than later. My doctor is more for home exercise and also the CPM machine (23 hours a day for 7 days after the surgery). The most important aspect, I am told, is to work on extension. Hope this helps.

3. 

   shana
   Member
   Posted 9 months ago #
   

   It does. I am just mostly concerned about scar tissue built up and the graft failing...but aren't we all worried about that?

4. 

   jlg264
   Member
   Posted 9 months ago #
   

   I had a cadaver graft and I am 30, I've had great success with it. I was running at 8 weeks post-op and now running over 4 miles without any pain (surgery was 6-30-09). I still have some trouble with deep squats but my PT said that would come with time. From my understanding a cadaver graft is less invasive, I have 3 small incisions and very little scar tissue. If I ever had to do it again with the other leg (hopefully not!) I would probably go the same route. Also, I started PT day 2 post-op and it was painful but it felt good to move it. Personally I think your choice in a Physical Therapist is just as important as your choice in a Doctor. No matter what you choose to do, it's what you feel most comfortable with that will make the difference. Good Luck!

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