19/Male torn ACL & MCL; Hamstring Graft

by Jeff
(Valencia, California )

I've been playing basketball most of my life, and it was my obsession until I tore my ACL. I was practically playing everyday in my school gym (UCI) for about 5 weeks straight. I landed on some guy's leg while trying to block a shot. The initial pain was dreadful, it was throbbing for about 3 minutes until it finally went away. They wrapped ice around my knee right away and I went to the doctor immediately.
After taking an X-Ray the doctor said it shouldn't be more than a sprain and that I should wear the brace they provided until I didn't feel anymore pain. He also scheduled me for an MRI the next week just to make sure. That week I felt pretty good that it wasn't anything more than a sprain.
Once I took the MRI and the doctor told me that I tore my ACL and MCL, I started to tear thinking that I wouldn't be touching a basketball for at least 6 months.
I started going to rehab 2 weeks after the injury. It was pretty painful since I didn't have any range of motion or put any pressure on it since the injury. I believe the bike was the best machine in getting my range of motion back. I iced as often as I could until I felt no more pain.
After researching many articles, I found that the hamstring graft was the best choice for me. I knew a couple of my friends that did allograft (cadaver) and they are still in pain when playing basketball even after one year post operation. Also with patella, I didn't like the idea of feeling pain when I knelt and that there's a higher risk of arthritis. My doctor also said that the hamstring graft is just as strong as the patella, it's just that the hamstring graft is soft tissue and it takes a little bit more time to strengthen.
What I'm afraid of is that if I'm going to loose my quickness and my hops! I'm 5'10 and I just started to dunk the ball before my injury. I was wondering will I ever get back to jumping that high again? And is 6 months the earliest I can get back in playing competitive basketball?

My surgery is June 26, 2009 (tomorrow) and I'm starting to get a little nervous. I'm having the surgery an hour away from my house and I'm hoping the anesthesia won't wear off before I get home. I'm pretty happy that my insurance is giving me an ice machine to take home because I heard that it works wonders! Are there any tips I should be doing the first week post op?
Thanks

Comments for
19/Male torn ACL & MCL; Hamstring Graft

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Jun 26, 2009
Rating

ACL advice
by: Anonymous

Hello Jeff. I just want to wish you the best of luck with surgery today. I had my ACL reconstucted from my patellar tendon 10 weeks ago after injuring myself during an obstacle course competition. I am 44 years old, a firefighter, and an athlete that enjoys mtn. biking, running and weight-lifting along with many other activities. My advice to you is to be patient and to not do too much too soon. An ACL reconstruction takes time to repair fully and strengthen. My fear is that since you love basketball so much that you'll try to come back too soon and reinjure yourself. Believe me, it is extremely depressing to sit around with rehab as your only activity but, listen to your therapists and you'll be back to normal as soon as possible. Also, don't be afraid to accept help from others especially with getting in and out of the shower right after surgery. One small slip can send you back to the surgeon.
Unfortunately, although my surgery and rehab went well, I've developed a lot of scar tissue around my knee. I still have pain and limitations 10 weeks later. My doctor and I have decided to do another surgery to release the scar tissue on July 7th. I'm hoping that I'll be able to continue progressing in my therapy after that. Don't worry that you'll have that problem... it happens to women more than men and to fairer people than darker people. Also, you're much younger. That's a big advantage.
Good luck, Jeff. If you have any other questions feel free to write back.
Allison
Plantation, Florida

X Close Editor

Jun 26, 2009
Rating

Submitted by: Anonymous

Title

Comment
Hello Jeff. I just want to wish you the best of luck with surgery today. I had my ACL reconstucted from my patellar tendon 10 weeks ago after injuring myself during an obstacle course competition. I am 44 years old, a firefighter, and an athlete that enjoys mtn. biking, running and weight-lifting along with many other activities. My advice to you is to be patient and to not do too much too soon. An ACL reconstruction takes time to repair fully and strengthen. My fear is that since you love basketball so much that you'll try to come back too soon and reinjure yourself. Believe me, it is extremely depressing to sit around with rehab as your only activity but, listen to your therapists and you'll be back to normal as soon as possible. Also, don't be afraid to accept help from others especially with getting in and out of the shower right after surgery. One small slip can send you back to the surgeon. Unfortunately, although my surgery and rehab went well, I've developed a lot of scar tissue around my knee. I still have pain and limitations 10 weeks later. My doctor and I have decided to do another surgery to release the scar tissue on July 7th. I'm hoping that I'll be able to continue progressing in my therapy after that. Don't worry that you'll have that problem... it happens to women more than men and to fairer people than darker people. Also, you're much younger. That's a big advantage. Good luck, Jeff. If you have any other questions feel free to write back. Allison Plantation, Florida

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

throbber Updating Comments page...

Jul 02, 2009
Rating

Hamstring pain
by: Jeff

Hey guys, it's been one week since my operation. I feel like the past week, I've been feeling pain in different spots. The first few days I was feeling pain solely on my knee, but recently I've been getting severe pain in my hamstring graft ( right below the knee) also my hamstrings from my thigh to upper thigh. I don't know if i pulled it or if I'm suppose to feel pain all throughout my hamstrings since that's where they took the graft from. Also I have been getting back pains, is it because when I get in and out of bed I use my back to lift my braced leg up?

Other than pains, I went to physical therapy yesterday and they said my extension was good and I had a 95 degree bend which they told me i was suppose to accomplish by week one. They also said I had to be out of my crutches which I came in without until now since I've been getting this throbbing pain in my hamstring graft every time i get up.

Jul 22, 2009
Rating

My reconstruction blog...
by: Chad

Jeff,

I recently had ACL reconstruction using hamstring graft on May 18, 2009. I created this blog to help others along the way of recovery. Hope it helps you and if you have any questions, email me at csabatka1@hotmail.com.

http://csabatka1.blogspot.com/

Aug 21, 2009
Rating

FF needs help!
by: Anonymous

I hurt my knee a month ago, and thought it was a mild strain. After my visit with my ortho today I found out I tore my ACL. I don't know what to do! I am a FF,and have been working since my injury. I feel little pain, and am confused as to whether or not to move forward with the surgery. Being out for six months seems outrageous! Is disability an option? Do you really fully recover? Since I am able to do almost everything now, can I just strengthen my muscles and try to not have surgery? Possibly I am in great denial...Oh, I am 34 years old, petite female. Very athletic, signed up for an ultramarathon in December, love to climb, ski, hike, etc. Also a new mom...Please help!

Aug 31, 2009
Rating

Torn ACL Survivor
by: Anonymous

Ya'll will be just fine. I was in my late 30's playing soccer the day I tore my ACL and meniscus. You'd think I'd hang up the towl to my passion? Heck no! I had ACL surgery used my petella tendon and was back on the soccer field in 8 months. Keep up with your home physical therapy and your rehabilitation therapy. I had the best KneeSurgeon, the best Therapist (ARCH) and the best attitude to pull through 100% in record time for someone my age. Hang in there and you will be back in no time feeling normal and ready to kick butt.

Sep 06, 2009
Rating

20/Male torn ACL & MCL; Hamstring Graft
by: Ian

Hey Jeff

lol it seems i have the same injury as you Jeff at the same age. Snow skiing accident last weekend, im 2nd year at the University of Melbourne in Australia and seeing the surgeon monday.

I train muay thai kickboxing 3 days a week. Well used to, does anyone know that once ive made a full recovery is it advised to return to the sport as its so demanding on your joints and impact orientated?

Feb 25, 2010
Rating

question
by: Anonymous

Hey my names taylor. I tore my ACL November 1st and had surgery on Nov 25th (2010). Its been exactly three months and I am feeling great. Rehab is going really good and my knee feels really strong. Im 21 years old and a firefighter and i see my doctor in 2 days and i wanna ask him if i can go back to work. I know its soon but my knee feels great. Any opinions?

Feb 27, 2010
Rating

Which Doctor?
by: Doug

Hello Jeff,

I live in Orange County too. May I ask which doctor you went to? My surgery is next month and I still don't know which graft to select (Patella or Hamstring)?

Feb 28, 2010
Rating

Response
by: Jeff

Hey so it's been 7 months now since my surgery and I feel great. I've been playing basketball now almost everyday now. I actually started to play on my 4.5 month mark, but I was very careful. I found out that an athletic sleeve was very helpful when I played.

My insurance was through Kaiser and my surgeon was Dr. Csintalaln. He treated me very well and was very helpful. Rehab is the most important to recovery, especially the first 6 weeks.

Feb 28, 2010
Rating

You gotta be kidding
by: Doug

Jeff,

He's the one that's going to operate on me next month. What a small world... So you would totally recommend him? You're the perfect person to talk to as I am in the same field as you (playing basketball). My friend's employer recommended him too!

I have a torn medial meniscus and partially torn ACL. I have to pick my tendon soon and I still don't know which one to go with (patella or hamstring).

Jeff, is it true that if you go though ACL surgery, you get physical therapy for half off? That's what I heard through the Kaiser Pre-op class. Is there any additional info you can provide me that might help? I'm so nervous as I've never had any surgery before.

Mar 01, 2010
Rating

Reply
by: Jeff

Hey Doug,

Dr. Csintialan is a very good surgeon, he knows what he is doing. I chose the hamstring graft because I didn't like the chance of having kneeling pains if I chose the patella. And I feel like most people are doing hamstring graft now a days, like tiger woods. The hamstring graft is a softer tissue than the patella, so you must be very careful the first 6 weeks.

Yes I did all my rehabs at the Kaiser in Orange. My payments were cut down to half of my usual payments. They really put you to work there, so if you go when your suppose to and do all your home exercises then you should be back in no time.

The temptation of not playing basketball is tough, just try to find other hobbies to do. I wasn't suppose to play till my 6 month post op, but I felt I was ready to play lightly at my 4.5 month, but I was really careful. So just work on your rehab and go to all your appointments.

Let me know if you have other questions, I'll be glad to give you any more advice.

Mar 01, 2010
Rating

Mar 02, 2010
Rating

Before Surgery
by: Doug

Hello Jeff,

I appreciate you answering my questions

1) Is the physical therapy only done in Orange? I do want to go to one specifically for ACL injuries and sports related.

2) Do you have to set up appointments for physical therapy before your surgery or is that done automatically?

3) How long did you have to wait before physical therapy?

Dr. Csintalan actually recommended the patellar graft for me since I play basketball, which one did he recommended to you initially?

Thanks...

Mar 03, 2010
Rating

acl
by: Brett

Doug do the hamstring graft for sure , my doctor told before i got my surgery that the normal acl can with stand 1700 newtons of pressure, the petellar tendon can with stand 2300 newtons and the hamstring if healed properly and done by a good surgeon can be 4000. im 7 days post op, i felt alot of pain the 2nd day when the femoral nerve block wore off, but its been getting better everyday.i feel basically no pain other then where my incisions were because it feels like their pulling sometimes. and basically no hamstring pain. i am also a basketball player and cant wait to get back