Liz's ACL and meniscus tear

Hi everyone:

I injured my knee (severed ACL and tore meniscus) in Mid March 2011 and had to wait 6 weeks (May 6 2011) for surgery to repair the meniscus!

My surgeon advised against doing an ACL reconstruction at that time because he felt that I was not in shape to do the rehab. It is now 5 months after the meniscus surgery and, although my physical therapy is going well, I am having instability issues, especially when dancing.

I went back to the surgeon and asked for an ACL reconstruction surgery. He advised that, because I am overweight , it may be an issue for the graft. I am about 70 pounds overweight but am extremely healthy (much more healthy than thin people) because of my genes.

Is it true that additional weight may be an issue on the graft?

I have searched the internet for information on this to verify, but have found nothing.

I appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks

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Liz's ACL and meniscus tear

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Oct 25, 2011
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by: Bart - SII

Hi Liz, thanks for sharing your story. Did you have a meniscus repair, where he sutured the meniscus back together, or did you have a meniscectomy where he took out the torn portion? Just curious...

As for the graft question - body weight has a bearing on the amount of forces transmitted through the knee, however, this is usually less of a concern for the ACL graft than it is for the meniscus and articular surfaces. Being overweight can be a contraindication for surgery based on other factors related to health and healing, but in general I don't know of any specific ACL reconstruction outcome studies that show significant differences in final outcome for those that are considered overweight versus those that are not.

Surgeon preferences can play into this, based on previous experiences with other patients, and their personal philosophies on ACL reconstruction. You might consider getting a second opinion if you are limited in your normal activities by instability, and are having pain or giving way.

Bart

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