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4th ACL Tear in Same Knee

Posted , 7 users are following.

jchen
jchen

I tore my ACL for the first time in 2009 playing high school basketball. First ACL reconstruction in 2010 (patellar graft). It was unfortunate that I was so stupid back then and I believe I tore the new graft only 3 months out of the surgery fooling around with friends. Deeply regret this. 

Had my 2nd reconstruction in the summer of 2011 (allograft). This time, my ACL lasted 9 months; it was re-ruptured while hyperextending and landing awkwardly from a jump. 

3rd reconstruction at the end of 2012: I chose to go to a different, more well-known surgeon (allograft). This time, the graft lasted over 3 years. I only retore it a couple weeks ago basically running in a straight line. My muscles must have been tired or something to react properly when trying to slow down. Don't know whether I should even try for a 4th reconstruction at this point...my legs are strong and don't suffer from as much instability as some other people do when missing an ACL. At this point I'm looking for opinions from anyone. Feel free to give your advice. Thanks

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 jchen

    Posted

    If you do go for it go through the entire one year rehab and the change your sports protocol. You have no doubt heard the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Seriously, if you do go through it again get a sports medicine trained physical therapist that knows and understands the joint the joint from a different and more complete structural perspective and can keep you out of harms way a bit.
    • jchen
      jchen Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Thanks for your suggestion.  I really appreciate your reply.  I am skeptical towards even getting a 4th reconstruction, since my latest tear resulted in little swelling.  This suggests a lack of vascularization even after 3 years.  And if this is the case, another ACL reconstruction may have the same problem as well.  My ACL-deficient knee is rarely unstable, and, from past experience, only gives out during relatively strenuous activities.

      However, I do want to continue to live an active lifestyle with the occasional recreational contact sports (of course, in moderation).

      Once again, I am very grateful for your reply.

    • faroboy
      faroboy jchen

      Posted

      whatever you do, don't plah sports with a torn acl. its easier to injure other stuff that way (like meniscus, cartlidge, etc). If you recover well from surgeries, then maybe you should get the surgery done, and don't go back to sports for at least a year. . Goodluck!!
    • jchen
      jchen faroboy

      Posted

      I do recover well from surgeries in terms of strength, extension, and flexion.  However, it's more the mental tax that another surgery would take on me, as well as my family.  Even for my 3rd reconstruction (my most recent one), I did not go back to sports for a whole year.  Nevertheless, the ACL reruptured after 3 years, which is weird since that's way past the point where the graft should still be weak.
  • jamie1918
    jamie1918 jchen

    Posted

    hi jchen when you have had previous surgerys have you had regular appointments to see a physio post surgery? feel for you man had two acl reconstructions tough injury mentally to come back from. Coming from someone who is the most unmotivated person i know you can have this fourth surgery just dont cut any corners dont leave anything to chance get those excersises done everydays soon as you wake up and before you go to bed get those abs,calfs,hips and quads nice and strong and get some regular treatment e.g weekly physio appointment sorry if you already know all of this just came across your story and just reminded me of the struggles with injuries myself good luck with it all man.
    • jchen
      jchen jamie1918

      Posted

      Hey jamie1918, I really appreciate the feedback and the best wishes.  Sorry you had to go through multiple ACL reconstructions as well sad.  I have always seen a physical therapist post surgery for the first ~3 months.  And as far as they tell me, and as far as I feel myself, I think I have done a good job with the strength and flexibility training.  But that's a good point you bring up.  Maybe for my body, I just have to step it up even another notch. 
  • Piri00
    Piri00 jchen

    Posted

    how did you decided at the end...?

    I am in the same position now... do it or not do it the 4th ACL in same knee.

  • tdh
    tdh jchen

    Edited

    I now have my 4th ACL tear in the same knee as well as an ACL tear in my other knee. I RRewas told by my surgeon to not waste any more time with ACL reconstruction with the knee I've torn 4 times and just have it replaced. replacement is the route I'm going since every time its reconstructed the chances of retearing it becomes higher and higher with each surgery. Good luck to you with your decision.

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