Archive for the 'Activities' Category

Patellar vs Hamstring Graft for ACL Surgery

Saturday, November 15th, 2008

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.

Knee X-Ray

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

Knee MRI

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.

Latin Drum Video

Sunday, November 9th, 2008

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.

Cabo San Lucas Photos

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

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.

Sunset in Cabo

Pacific Ocean View

Pelican Rock

Pacific Ocean

Underwater

Cactus Plant

Cabo Arch

Cabo Hotel

Human Statue

Chileno Beach

Cactus ATV Tour

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

Cabo Inn
Photos of the quaint little inn, where I stayed…

Cabo Inn

Cabo Inn

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.

Ultimate Accident

Sunday, September 21st, 2008

Ultimate Frisbee

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.

Family Motocross Riding

Saturday, September 13th, 2008

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

Troy

Mason

Larah