Question 1

for athlete, is a patellar graft or a hamstring graft better for an acl reconstruction?

Accepted Answer

Hamstring: Quicker recovery.  Expected full regaining of hamstring strength at 1 year postop.  No risk of fractures.

Patellar tendon grafts result in only 80% regaining of quad strength longterm, and anterior knee pain complaints are high long term.  Patella fracture risk postop due to graft defect.

Question 2

for a non-competitive athlete, is a patellar graft or a hamstring graft most effective for an acl reconstruction?

Accepted Answer

Acl tear: I would recommed a hamstring graft although the patella graft would work well too. The hamstring graft can be removed through a cosmetically nicer incision and there is probably less postop pain than a patella graft.  I assume your question was in regards to autografts and not allografts?

Question 3

having microfracture knee surgery; what if doc finds a torn acl & didn't suspect it ? how does he decide weather to use a hamstring or patella graft?

Accepted Answer

With MRI...: ...It's highly unlikely the surgeon will see any surprises at surgery; torn acls are pretty obvious on mri. As for the second, that's a question best asked of the actual surgeon.

Question 4

had acl reconstruction on 1/8/2016 using a patellar tendon graft. my question is- is it normal to lift your leg with tendon when muscles don't work?

Accepted Answer

No: The answer is "No" because tendons don't contract... meaning they don't move on their own. The muscles contract. To move against gravity, such as lifting a leg, at least one muscle has to move. Otherwise, nothing happens. To move with gravity, such as letting a leg drop down, whatever muscles that were holding the leg up just have to relax or stop contracting... and the leg will drop.

Question 5

i had surgery for acl recon using patellar tendon on tuesday, april 27th. last night i accidentally slept on the operative leg (sideways) with all of my pressure on it. is my graft okay and just sore or did i possibly do major damage to it? thank you?

Accepted Answer

: Unlikely that you have postop damage but would be useful to let your doctor know if increasing pain or stiffness

Question 6

left knee complete acl tear and ruptured meniscus in jun08. patella knee graft in jul09. knee popping and catching every leg extension and step i take?

Accepted Answer

See your ORS: Popping and catching after ACL reconstructive surgery using patellar tendon can be related to the graft taken... that is patellofemoral ‘crepitus’— catching and popping esp. w/ leg extensions, stair-climbing. Best to see your orthopedist and get examined. Sometimes the graft hypertrophies( cyclops lesion)and can cause similar symptoms. Best of luck!

Question 7

what's having a patellar graft acl reconstruction?

Accepted Answer

Acl knee: The middle third of the patella tendon, the ttendon below the knee cap, is taken with bone on each end one from the patella and the other from the tibia, or shin bone, this is used to make a new acl ligament.

Question 8

i am nervous about an acl and patellar graft surgery. what can i do?

Accepted Answer

Get support: Very common and safe surgery done hundreds or even thousands of times across US each year.  Making sure you have all your questions answered and maybe finding person or persons who have had surgery can go a long way to relieve concerns.  Your surgeon can give you names of some patients to talk to I am sure.

Question 9

i had 3 acl recons., last one was 6 mon ago.  2 & 3 used patellar allografts.  i still get hamstring pain doing concentric exercises.  what causes it?

Accepted Answer

Incomplete rehab: Hamstring allografts often cause pain in the post-op period but rarely cause prolonged pain or functional problems.  It may be sciatica (nerve pain) but if it is coming from you hamstring a pt that can help with an eccentric strengthening program and manual treatment to break up adhesions usually helps.

Question 10

nervous for acl surgery with patellar graft, what to do?

Accepted Answer

Many graft choices: The latest multicenter level I clinical trials confirm that both allograft (donated cadaveric frozen tissue) and autograft (your own tisse; e.g., patellar BTB or hamstring, etc.) do very well for providing excellent outcomes for the unstable ACL deficient knee. Allografts have no harvest site morbidity. Discuss both options with your surgeon.

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Doctor answers about:

Patellar or hamstring graft for acl

A member asked:

For athlete, is a patellar graft or a hamstring graft better for an acl reconstruction?

A member asked:

For a non-competitive athlete, is a patellar graft or a hamstring graft most effective for an acl reconstruction?

A member asked:

Having microfracture knee surgery; what if doc finds a torn acl & didn't suspect it ? how does he decide weather to use a hamstring or patella graft?

A member asked:

Had acl reconstruction on 1/8/2016 using a patellar tendon graft. my question is- is it normal to lift your leg with tendon when muscles don't work?

A member asked:

I had surgery for acl recon using patellar tendon on tuesday, april 27th. last night i accidentally slept on the operative leg (sideways) with all of my pressure on it. is my graft okay and just sore or did i possibly do major damage to it? thank you?

A member asked:

Left knee complete acl tear and ruptured meniscus in jun08. patella knee graft in jul09. knee popping and catching every leg extension and step i take?

A member asked:

What's having a patellar graft acl reconstruction?

A member asked:

I am nervous about an acl and patellar graft surgery. what can i do?

A member asked:

I had 3 acl recons., last one was 6 mon ago. 2 & 3 used patellar allografts. i still get hamstring pain doing concentric exercises. what causes it?

A member asked:

Nervous for acl surgery with patellar graft, what to do?

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