Comments on: Patellar vs Hamstring Graft for ACL Surgery

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:13:30 +0000

I had a patella graft done on my right knee one year ago as of Sept 11. It’s in great shape. I have the tiniest of scars — you can barely even see it. I was 37 when I had my surgery, out of shape, and had been dealing with a partial tear for 17 years. It finally totally tore off — but I’m not sure how that happened. I presented like a meniscus tear, not an ACL, but the MRI showed that the meniscus was fine and my ACL was totally torn. My doctor, a former NFL doctor for the Washington Redskins for 6 years, recommended the patella graft, and it’s really been good. I do have pain when I kneel on that knee, but if I know I have to kneel on a hard surface, I can either put something soft down first, or shift my weight to my left leg more, and it’s okay. My range of motion came back very quickly and the stiffness was totally gone within a few months. I had some scar tissue that was sore, but that’s cleared up now too. I did PT for 4 months, about 2x a week.

Very happy so far with the patella graft.

By: Timbo

Timbo — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 23:55:07 +0000

Hey ACL buddies! I had my ACL replacement in 2006 with a hamstring graft. I couldn’t finish my rehab due to insurance issues so my hamstring obviously became much weaker then expected so first and foremost, FINISH YOUR REHAB. The missed rehab also had an effect on my knee because I didn’t get a chance to get it back up to strength either. But, I eventually got back into my weight training and regained the strength lost in both my knee and hamstring. I haven’t had problems since. I think with either, you just need to get your strength back with weight training and range of motion back with stretching and running/walking and keep up the physical life style and you will be a successful op.

By: Zain

Zain — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:18:40 +0000

This is very helpful…nice to see people who understand the pain and suffering we are subjected to.

By: Sanjeev

Sanjeev — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:54:59 +0000

Great to see a site that has practically built a community of ACL to-be and has-been. Very informative. Most from the US her – I am from Bangalore, India, 41 yrs old male. Had my ACL surgery on the left knee on July 8th this year with a Hamstring autograft. Tore it while playing badminton – though my regular game is more like tennis. Faced similar situation, the first doc I went to (drove to the nearest hospital myself after the injury!) – young and enthusiastic and very helpful – correctly diagnosed it (before the MRI confirmation happened) and recommended a quick surgery using the patellar, even told me about the hamstring vs. patellar debate and all. All of these were very nearly Latin to me then, of course.

Went with the second doc I saw in a more reputed hospital here, incidentally one which is also a favorite amongst those who resort to “medical tourism” (what a term!) – so a lot of Westerners and others flock here to get there surgeries done. Well, this doc was clear on his recommendation for the hamstring thingy, and given that his credentials were also far superior, went with him – even though I clearly also liked Doc 1. At that time I couldn’t care less really, just wanted to find a Doc I was comfortable with on doing the carpentry work on my leg.

Op went fine, on GA and following that a femural block – very very effective on pain management – saw one other person in this blog mentioning and recommending it. 3 weeks with brace, 4 on a crutch (more for safety I was told). Now off both, and seemingly recovering well. Lots of PT – some 15 different exercises 7 of them with a 2 kg ankle weight (twice a day, takes an hour to complete all!). Gait still not normal but reasonable stability. Full flexion, achieve 120 degrees on stretch. Doing stationary cycling now as well, and driving is a breeze, so now really looking forward to getting back to playing, though that is probably still 5 months away.

Oh, quite incidentally, the screws he used to fasten the new ACL were something called “bioscrews” apparently they are a lil more expensive but kind of dissolve into the tissue in a couple of years so hopefully will not have to be removed. My entire surgery including a 2 day hospital stay post surgery in a great room cost approx 4400 US – of course with 80% coverage from insurance.

By: J.C.

J.C. — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:33:57 +0000

My daughter was a Junior in H.S….very good soccer player. Had been playing since she could walk. The worst possible time to get injured (college recruiting) she tears the ACL. She / we were devastated. Needless to say we saw 4 doctors – each with a different “theory” on ACL surgery. One swore by cadaver tissue. We ruled that out right away as there is always a chance of rejection (no matter how slight) and the quality of the tissue is ?.

The patella graft was recommended by the next surgeon. The indication of future arthritis and weakening of the knee was a possibility. Maybe in a 300 pound football player with a very large donor tissue these issues would not be a problem.

Two surgeons recommended the hamstring graft and, ultimately, we went with the one we felt most comfortable with.

The recovery was painful – the pain from the hamstring donor location is sharp. The physical therapy is intense – but she recovered and played her senior year. Leading the team in goals and assists until she tore HER OTHER KNEE !

We went to the same doctor – who had to leave the room as he was about to cry after examining her. He did the surgery – it went well and she recovered much faster the second time as she knew what to expect.

I can tell you we have never regretted the road we took. She is in college now – doing well – working out – running – actually playing a little soccer – without any pain.

On the bright side – this whole ordeal has given her a direction – she is studying to become a physical therapist !

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:36:52 +0000

I am 27 and have had a cadaver graft on my left knee twice over the last 7 years (was young, and not very well informed). Over the last 4 and a half years the second graft has stretched out again, and I have partially torn my lateral miniscus. I am now seeing a different doctor (head of FSU orthopedics), who has a lot more experience and knowledge.
I am considering reconstructing my left knee for a third time because I am now in a lot of pain, cannot run, and am walking with a limp. I am trying to decide between the hamstring and patellar tendon. I have had some problems with my patella in the last few years, so I am a bit apprehensive to use that one, but some of these posts infer that it is stronger in the long run. I want to return to jogging, playing ultimate frisbee, etc., but at a more relaxed pace. Recommendations?
Also, I am reading some things about the way they create the hamstring graft. What way is the strongest and what questions should I ask my doctor?
I want to make sure I am very well informed before I do this for the 3rd time.
Thanks, this is a great site!

By: Concerned Mom

Concerned Mom — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:42:08 +0000

My 16 yr daughter has bilateral ACL tears ( both knees) her knees are unstable and need to be reconstructed her left knee for the 2nd time. In Oct. 2008 she has ACL reconstruction of her left knee using her hamstring. We are researching several of the top 25 knee surgeons and want to consider the new double bundle technique. I am concerned about using her patella tendons. She is a 16 yr old cheerleader and the pain and long terms issues seem to be a common theme with Patella grafts and Hamstring grafts seem to be weaker. Not to mention the current scars and the potential future knee scaring. Does anyone know anyone who has had both knees reconstructed at the same time?