Busted MCL and ACL at 42 and 50lbs overweight

by Ali Naqvi
(Minneapolis, MN, USA)

27th Feb 2009.
Hello everyone, I busted my MCl and also ACL skiing two weeks ago. Well, let's just say I was not skiing at the time it happened rather just standing with my skis on and due to someone else behind me, I tripped and all this happened. Well! That is all in the past. Presently, I am in the MCL healing mode. The doctor is suggesting surgery (allograft) as I am 42 and 50lbs overweight. I am a very active person. I love to ski, hunt, go outdoors, etc. Should I go with an Allograft? Is it really true that it is the weakest of all grafts. (at least this is what I have read). Please help me understand.

Ali.

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Busted MCL and ACL at 42 and 50lbs overweight

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Mar 12, 2009
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Allograft
by: Rebaboh

Ali - I am in the same position as you. Today my MD told me that using an allograft is what he will be doing during the ACL reconstruction. I wish you well in your speedy recovery. Dr told me today that this method is the least compromising of the 3 since there will be no removal of your body's tissue to try to compensate somewhere else. He also said this heals quicker & speeds up the mobility. Should this not be true, anyone who reads this, PLEASE COMMENT.

Best of Luck - Rebecca in upstate NY

Mar 13, 2009
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Allograft
by: Ben

Hello. I'm a 34 year old male and had an acl recon using allograft method using achillies tendon on March 5. I love to play basketball and I intend to play again once I'm ready. I picked allograft because (1)my age (2) success rate is comparable to patella tendon graft and better than hamstring graft according to my doctor (3) my friend is a PT and she told me patients who had allograft recover faster and her patients who had this surgery are back to their active lives i.e. snowboarding, bball, golf. I know it is a tough choice and lots of pros and cons and different opinions out there. My advice is pick the one that you are comfortable with and trust your doctor. Good luck!

Mar 14, 2009
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allograft choices
by: Bart - SII

The allograft is a good choice for several reasons...It does allow for a somewhat faster initial recovery period. There is usually less pain, so your motion returns faster. It also does not involve harvesting your own tissue, so you have less trauma to your knee. The overall recovery time frame (ie. return to full sports activities) is the same as with any other graft - 6-9 months, but the initial phases move faster.

The allograft is usually a good choice for those who are older (depends on the physician but 30 is usually an age where this graft is considered), those who do not participate in extremely intense sports (ie. football). I have had allograft patients who played basketball, soccer, dance, etc and they all did well. I have had age ranges from 21-55, all with good results. The graft choice is important, but the rehab afterwards, and making sure that you continue to build strength, mobility, and balance after you are discharged from PT (6-8 weeks), and that you don't return to fast are even more important. So, with an allograft, good rehab, and following the timelines, a good result can be had.

Bart

Mar 17, 2009
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Thanks for the information.
by: Ali Naqvi

Guys, Thansk a bundle for the information. I will go with the allograft however my OS is suggesting a 2 month wait for my MCL to heal first. Will keep you all posted.

Thanks again.

Ali Naqvi

Apr 15, 2009
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Ham Autograft
by: Laura

Ali,
Not sure if you had your surgery yet, but I wanted to let you know that 2 weeks out, I'm not sure if I made the right decision re my hamstring graft. I'm 46 and my doc wanted me to get the allograft, but I chose the hamstring for a couple of reasons--in part it just made me feel kind of creepy and I read that there's a very low risk of getting a disease from the allograft--again it's extremely low. Right now, I'm in a lot of pain from the bruising of my saphenous nerve during the hamstring harvesting, which I understand is common (something I didn't know b4hand). I can only hope that it goes away soon. Aside from that pain, the surgery has been better than I expected. I have 6 incisions and the one from the harvesting is huge. I don't have any hamstring pain though.

HTH,
Laura

Jun 07, 2009
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Yes, wait on the MCL
by: Lisa

I am 40 years old and am going through a similar injury: complete tear of ACL, partial tear of MCL, minimal tear of meniscus and a dislocated kneecap. I am on my 2nd orthopedic surgeon b/c I didn't like the first one. I'm very glad that I sought out a different opinion too. I am scheduled for ACL reconstruction surgery on June 22nd. I'm dreading it but will be glad to get it over with too. My injury occured on March 10th, so this has been going on for quite awhile. Like what your doc said, we had to wait on my MCL to heal (on its own is the only way) before doing the ACL surgery. He said that if I'd had it done beforehand, I'd probably never have regained full range again b/c a recovering ACL depends on a strong MCL to help through rehab. So, don't rush it...make sure your MCL is in good shape. BTW, he said that it usually takes about 3 months for an MCL to heal. Good luck!!

Sep 07, 2009
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Wait on MCL?
by: Anonymous

I tore my ACL and MCL (and the MRI report said LCL also), and my doc said I'm ready for surgery now (4 weeks post-tear). I've been in "prehab" for the past 3 weeks. Is it possible my MCL healed in that time? I'm 39, and I'm getting an autograft using my hamstring. comments are welcomed!

Sep 07, 2009
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3 to 4 weeks seems less time for MCL to heal
by: Ali Naqvi

Hi,
3 to 4 weeks sound little less time for the MCL to heal. However I am not a doctor thus cannot comment on it. I can tell you that it took me around 2+ months for my MCL to heal. It still did hurt till the end of the 3rd month. Now after 7 months I do not feel any pain in my MCL and surprisingly I do not have much or any instability in my ACL deficient knee, My doctor have given me a custom brace and has asked me to go skiing using that. (So wish me luck) if I cannot ski this season with my brace on then I will have my surgery done ASAP.

Good luck to you.