What works best for an acl repair? hamstring, patellar tendon or a cadaber

They all work well.: The three types of grafts all are acceptable in acl reconstruction. It really depends on what graft your surgeon is most comfortable using. As well as, whether you want to use your own tendons or if you care about a cadaver. Long term results are excellent using auto or allografts.

Patient selection: You've asked a tough question. Each selection needs to be tailored to an individual patient. We have studies that show excellent results and poor results with each graft. The factors that change the answers are: age (under 14, 15-20, 21-30, >30), activity level (pro, amateur, which sport), length of rehab after surgery before sports (4, 6, 8, 10 months). Pin your surgeon on which is right for you!

All are good: Any of these are good options for acl reconstructions. The patellar tendon and hamstring use your own tissue and therefore they are probably better but there is a chance that there would be a problem at the areas they are taken from (rare). The cadaver is a good option because you don't have to have surgery from somewhere in your body, but the reinjury rate is slightly higher.

Acl graft choice: The hamstring, central one third bone patellar bone and/or cadaver are all excellent choices for a graft for acl reconstruction. I typically will recommend the use of autologous tissue for the younger patient and cadaver tissue for the older athlete.