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In this Sports Medicine Minute video, Dr. Bill Sterett answers the question, "What is the best graft for a torn ACL?. Dr. Sterett is a sports medicine doctor with a special focus in ACL tears at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery.
With a torn ACL, it is best to replace the torn ligament with a new graft. Less than 10% of the time is the ACL repaired. 90% of the time the torn ACL is removed, and replaced with a new graft. There are four different choices:
1. Cadaver graft
2. Middle of the patellar tendon
3. Middle of the quad tendon
4. Hamstring tendon
Cadaver graft for patient's age 20 and below have shown a much higher rate of re-tearing. Studies have shown a 30% re-tear rate within the first year for cadaver grafts in the younger age demographic. Over age 40, a cadaver graft is a viable choice.
Using your own Tissue
The patellar tendon graft has been the most commonly used graft since the 80s. It is now only used 50% of the time due to advancements in surgical techniques and technology. A patellar graft has a lower rate of re-rupture, but a higher rate of arthritis in the knee down the road.
The hamstring graft is a great choice, but if you are loose jointed, and hyperextend your knee often then you should avoid using the hamstring graft. Females are more likely to be loose jointed compared to the male counterpart, so the hamstring graft is not as commonly used in female patients.
The quad graft is a great choice. It eliminates the risk of patellar tendonitis, and also has a lower risk for arthritis down the road.
All of the graft choices have their purpose. To learn more about ACL graft choices, please visit: drsterett.com/...
29 сен 2024
