ACL

Hey Jason, i'm sorry to hear about your acl ... i know your a survivor though and you'll get through it.  <br><br>One question ...  does this mean when you have an actual functioning acl we'll get to see you launch some real air ?<br><br>

<br><br>You mean like this <br><br> <br>

Thanks for all of the good information and thoughtful words. I'll likely look at a surgery this summer  ???. It sounds like the best way to go in the long run   and that's what really matters. I may have more questions when I get back home and can read this closer.

I just popped my ACL skiing on Feb.5th, just made a turn in powder! I'm 43 and have skied every season since 1970. I'm a runner, bike rider and coincidently have worked in the sports medicine field the past 20 years. I've seen and worked on many ACL cases and in my opinion the vast majority of high functioning athletes are best served by having the ACL repaired. It's a pay me now or me later scenario. I just had surgery 5 days ago. For me the question wasn't if to have it fixed, but what type of procedure to have? I asked the opinion of many of my PT, orthopod and athletic training peers and decided to have the patellar tendon autograft. This procedure uses the middle 1/3 of your own tendon and is still regarded as the gold standard procedure. The allograft is another option, but that uses cadaver tissue that may present more complications. Of course the choice of surgeon and the rehab are crucial. Some people over do it rehab and others don't commit. I start rehab tomorrow. At least I got to ski Nov-Jan and I'll be ready for next season. Good luck!

If you're looking for a recommendation on physicians, Dr. Roger Larson at UWMC Sport Medicine is regarded as one of the best. I've known numerous people (including my ex-wife) who have been treated by him. The whole Sports Medicine staff are really in tune with getting people back to the sports/life style they enjoy. Good Luck.

<br><br>Jason - Dr. Larson performed an ACL replacement on a friend on mine. She's doing great. Dr. Larson used a ligament from a cadaver to replace her ACL.

jason<br>having been able to exam your knee & help with dozens of ACL repairs and knowing your level of activity-- i would again strongly suggest you have a repair. <br>as many off your friends suggest, the surgery has only improved over the years and there are numerous doc's that perform the surgery multiple times in a week. <br>rehab is as important as the surgery. <br>let me know if there is anything else.<br>robert

Hey Jason,<br><br>I agree with Rob...I had my ACL completely torn back in 1996 and while it took some time back then to heal, it's stronger than ever (this was even confirmed when I needed a different surgery & the doc took a look at my ACL while near there). I had the hamstring graff, but I'd go for the cadeavor if giving the opportunity.<br><br>Go for it...the recovery these days is so short, especially with a good PT.<br><br>Good luck!<br>~Lara<br><br>P.S. (that wasn't much of a huck, btw )