For ACL surgery, I have two reputable doctors with contradictory opinions. One says a patellar graft is best, the other says a hamstring graft is best. Online research suggests there’s no strong winner on either side, but perhaps a slight leaning towards the hamstring graft.

Doctor A says:

• Hamstring graft is the most popular choice for professional athletes today
• There’s less risk of graft complication
• No knee pain with hamstring graft, where as, the patellar commonly results in a lifetime of pain when kneeling
• Hamstring graft is stronger than the patellar, because of 4 dense strands bound together, instead of just 1 with the patellar
• Neither grafts ‘grow back’, so better to go with the hamstring, since it’s a very large size and taking such a small portion of it only results in a hardly detectable loss of strength 5% - 10%, but it’s easily regained through basic physical therapy
• The drilling hole in the bone can be smaller when using the hamstring graft, because of the efficient configuration of the 4 strands in the hole. A smaller hole, results in a stronger bone
• Patellar grafts can loosen/weaken the knee and lead to patella arthritis
• Patellar grafts are ‘old school’ - a thing of the past. This surgeon used these grafts years ago, but not since the advancements in hamstring grafts, which are now superior
• Tiger Woods had a hamstring graft
• Hamstring grafts are the best

Doctor B says:

• Patellar graft is a larger and stronger tendon that’s 10mm, instead of a 8mm hamstring graft
• Patellar graft is the most popular choice among athletes today
• An annual survey of hundreds of orthopedic surgeons shows that patellar grafts are most popular
• Patellars are the ideal size and length
• The hamstring is too small, too long, and requires a more technical procedure with greater opportunity for error
• The hamstring may stretch/loosen and may not fasten to the bone correctly over time
• The patellar actually grows back and regenerates itself in 8 months, where as, the hamstring will be gone forever and be noticeably weaker
• Tiger Woods only got a hamstring graft only because the surgeon he chose invented his own hamstring graft technique which he wanted to promote
• Patellar grafts are best

As you can see, there’s good reason to hesitate when making a choice with potential long-term health ramifications. Pardon me while I go flip a coin.

This is one of the drum videos I made today. Since I’m likely having knee surgery this week, I wanted to document some of my drumming beforehand.

Here’s some photos from a little vacation I took in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. With only limited time to take one and not much time for planning, I decided to get away while I had the chance. Photos were taken with an old point and shoot 5MP Olympus C-50 camera.

On the Baja ATV Tour, armed with a Yamaha Grizzly.

Photos of the quaint little inn, where I stayed…

I met some interesting people from different countries, along with several from Portland. Snorkled, rode on boats, rode ATVs, saw a marlin fishing competition, ate some interesting food, read a book, lost my wallet, miraculously recovered the wallet, practiced Spanish, and did a little photography.

I was a part of an ultimate frisbee league up until Aug. 28th, when I injured my knee. I flew through the air like superman to catch a disc (like the image above [me in black]) and upon landing, rolled my ankle and tore my ACL. I was unable to walk the next few days and used crutches. This type of accident was a first for me.

Fortunately, now I can walk around again, but the knee is a little unstable. An MRI this week will determine the status of the ACL (yep, practicing my acronyms). There may not be any blog posts in the ‘Adventures’ category for a while.

Here are some pictures taken of my brother and family on 9-13-08.