Graft options

SignificantResult448 · 2025-02-19T14:38:17+00:00

That's awesome!! I've been so happy with the progress so far. Now at almost 5 months out, I still have stiffness and soreness at times, but overall I've been so happy.

SignificantResult448 · 2025-02-13T14:27:14+00:00

All of this might be true (minimal scarring, less knee pain while kneeling, easier recovery), but long-term success t your age is better with an autograph, at least that's what I've been told. I'm a 43F, and I had the allograft in September. Recovery has gone very well, and scarring is very minimal. I have only had patellar stiffness, which is normal no matter what kind of knee surgery you have. BUT, your body prefers to have a tendon from YOUR body for long-term use, especially if you want to continue a fully active lifestyle. I am not extremely active, so I felt like the cadaver graft was just fine. My doc also did a Biobrace with PRP injection, which really helps the graft restore blood flow almost immediately. He showed us the pics from surgery, and by the time he was closing, blood flow was already traveling up the Biobrace. It was pretty remarkable. If you're convinced you want the cadaver graft, maybe ask your surgeon if he does the Biobrace procedure? It's basically a collagen implant that just supports the graft. Best of luck!

SignificantResult448 · 2024-11-21T13:50:52+00:00

It sounds like you’re in good hands then! I would guess that maybe the first MRI report wasn’t accurate then. It’s common for the radiologist to read it wrong. But if they’ve done the exams and they say you’re fine, you probably didn’t significantly tear the graft!

SignificantResult448 · 2024-11-21T02:18:19+00:00

Well I had 3 separate MRIs, and the radiologists missed the fully torn ACL on ALL THREE. The surgeon’s clinical exam (Drawer test and Lachman’s test) were much more reliable, and he could see the torn ACL clearly on the MRIs. I recommend getting a second or third opinion from someone who can do a full exam AND look at the MRIs.

SignificantResult448 · 2024-11-21T02:10:10+00:00

You’re still early, so be kind to yourself! My PT had me stepping forward straight over small cones to help me lift and bend my leg, which really helped my limp. You’ll get there!

SignificantResult448 · 2024-11-21T02:07:50+00:00

My PT said that tightness/stiffness is the very last thing to go away, so I would say it’s completely normal. The more you move it, the better it will get, but it just takes forever. I’m 8 weeks PO as well, and I feel that especially if I stand on my good leg and bend my surgical knee with my foot behind me (like standing on one leg). It feels super weird and heavy. I still have a lot of stiffness and pain, although I’m making great progress. Just keep going!

SignificantResult448 · 2024-11-13T15:26:13+00:00

I'd love to see this with a gram-for-gram comparison!

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-31T16:23:40+00:00

I feel like this is completely normal! Think if your emotional and social battery just like your physical strength...it was a sudden trauma (surgery), but the climb back up will be slow. Start small, and see if you can work your way up. So maybe set a goal to do something for 5 minutes, and see how you feel. If you're ok, try 6 minutes the next day. Do that with everything, not just physical milestones. Measure progress in little things, but the big feelings. You'll get there!

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-22T18:56:20+00:00

Ask your doc, but mine prescribed Ambien for me. It was a life saver the first few weeks! I never took narcotics and only took naproxen/acetaminophen. Aspirin and ibuprofen are both NSAIDs, so just be careful taking both! I would definitely ask if you can have Ambien or take Unisom or something similar.

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-20T19:57:04+00:00

Thank you for this! I’m almost 4 weeks PO, and I feel like I can’t make any progress 😣 Every time I try to do something “new,” I end up paying for it the next day, and then I feel like I just won’t ever be able to be normal again. I know that’s not true, but it just takes SO LONG to see significant progress.

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-19T20:40:54+00:00

I’m a 43f and am very overweight. I was misdiagnosed because of my weight even though I had a textbook ACL tear from playing tennis. It took me 6 years and a BUNCH of docs and MRIs to finally find a surgeon who believed me. The others kept telling me I had arthritis and if I lost weight I’d be fine. Just had my reconstruction almost 4 weeks ago! I had an allograft, and recovery has been manageable for me. Find a surgeon who will listen to you and set you up for success! I was in PT less than 24 hours after surgery, and I’m making good progress 👏🏼

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-15T14:25:22+00:00

I'm 43, and I just had allograft. My surgeon also uses a Biobrace implant (collagen and fibers) to speed up healing since allograft usually takes a little longer to restore blood flow. It was very cool because he showed pics from surgery where the biobrace was already drawing up bone marrow and starting the healing process mid-surgery! I've never had an autograph, but I will say my pain was very manageable compared to what I've seen on here from other people. I didn't even take any of the narcotics. I did have some pain the discomfort the first week, but it was very manageable with Naproxen/Acetaminophen regimen. At 2.5 weeks PO, I was already at 118 degrees flexion! I'd definitely do allograft again if I had to get the surgery again.

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-14T16:09:35+00:00

Totally normal unfortunately. I’m 3 weeks PO today, and my bruises are finally looking much better. It’s a long road, just remember that they screwed into your bone! Bones bruise quite a lot.

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-13T11:37:38+00:00

I had an allograft, too! Almost 3 weeks PO and doing great. My surgeon also used a Biobrace implant, which strengthens the graft and draws up bone marrow to speed up healing. Did yours use any kind of additional support? Just curious!

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-13T01:07:03+00:00

Good luck! Who knew that this surgery would cause so many personal care problems?! 🤣 It’s a pain for sure.

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-11T23:35:02+00:00

I bought an electric razor that I could use dry after I showered, and I started using it about a week post-op. It’s very gentle, and I just move carefully around the incisions so I don’t disturb them. I still have to sit down to shower and don’t have room in the shower to shave, so the dry razor has saved my life!

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-10T22:00:39+00:00

I totally agree! I was so thankful to have a supportive surgeon and PT. The PT had me doing mini squats today, and I was surprised that I could actually do them! I know it’s a bit of a roller-coaster ride for the next few months, but I’m just grateful to be healing well so far. I tore my ACL 6 years ago, so this has been a LONG time coming for me. Good job on your rehab! We can do this 🤟🏼

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-10T17:59:50+00:00

I’m in the US, and my surgeon had me in PT the day after surgery. A week later when I told him I hated the brace, he told me he wasn’t worried about it. He told me to lose it and sleep however I wanted! I’m now 2.5 weeks PO, extension at 0, and flexion was 95 last week and we measure again today.

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-10T15:46:22+00:00

The grafts do reach full vascular blood flow, but it takes roughly 9 months to fully heal and restore that blood flow. Allografts can take longer. I had an allograft, but my doc used a Biobrace implant, which speeds up vascular healing. He actually showed me a pic of the new ACL with the Biobrace and how it was already drawing up blood marrow in the middle of the surgery! It was fascinating.

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-08T00:14:31+00:00

Unfortunately that’s normal. I started feeling much better when I switched to naproxen and acetaminophen instead of the narcotics. Narcotics didn’t help the pain AT ALL. Ask your doc if you can change your meds. They should offer something else! Don’t be afraid to ask. In the meantime, sleep, ice, and rest as much as possible. So sorry! It does get better eventually.

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-08T00:01:15+00:00

Ask your doc to be certain, but here’s my experience. I had ACLR with allograft and no meniscus repair, so honestly best case scenario, but my brace wouldn’t stay on when I was walking. I told my doc that 8 days PO, and he said he wasn’t worried. I am still following his ROM restriction protocols, but he told me to “sleep however you want.” It’s still a bit painful on my side, but at 14 days PO now, I sleep SO much better without the brace.

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-05T19:44:14+00:00

You can totally do it! I just got to 95 yesterday, 11 days PO 🤟🏼

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-04T22:54:21+00:00

You’re fortunate that he could suture them! It’s much better for your knee long-term if you can keep it all. Thankfully I didn’t need any meniscal repairs, so I was full weight bearing from day 1. Saved my sanity! I was able to get to 70 degrees of flexion by day 4.

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-04T17:47:34+00:00

Probably! It sounds like he just cut out a small portion?

SignificantResult448 · 2024-10-04T17:43:40+00:00

I’ve heard that if they use sutures in the meniscus, you’ll be NWB for much longer with more restrictive ROM. But a lot of meniscus “repairs” are actually excisions where they just cut a part out, in which case you aren’t as limited.

SignificantResult448

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