Ok, so im 15 and I tore my acl and meniscus playing soccer a couple of weeks ago. The doc said i would need surgery for sure if i want to keep playing soccer. And soccer is key for me, i hope to play in college and everything.
 
So based on that, what would be the best option for me surgery wise?!
 
The doc said he recomends a cadaver. My coach (which tore his ACL back in the day) said that I should use my patella and tibia. And there is also the option of using my hamstring.
 
Sure I know that using my parts would hurt pretty dang bad a couple of weeks after surgery but that doesnt matter. All i want is the best option for playing soccer LONG term.
 
Please help me, and thanks in advance.

Andrew, 4 years ago i was int he same situation as you. ACL tear while playing competitive soccer. Infact, it happened twice.

Cadaveric grafts are meant to be a litlte better for the patient post-op recovery. Your two other options are a hamstring and a patellar tendon graft. Studies are a little divided as to which one is the best in terms of long-term outcome for the patient but at the moment, majority of the orthopedic surgeons are preferring hamstrings for the young, fit atheletes and patellars for the not-so-active non-athletes. Well, atleast that seems to be the protocol and the information i get from the orthopedic surgeons where i work anyway.

Its a pretty intense op with some hard physio afterwards but its definately worth it, especially if you plan to play soccer either professionally or at a representative level.

I havent read too much literature about cadaver-grafts so i cant advice you too much about that.

Feel free to ask any questions about the procedure, post-op recovery etc, and ill try my best to answer your questions.

Alright, thanks a ton for helping out. I think I have ruled out the donor. I just don’t feel comfortable with someone else in me, and I trust my own parts better. Now its just the decision of hamstring or patellar.

Your best bet would be your orthopedic surgeon. Ask him what he recommends, and what HIS experience is with the two grafts, and which one HE is most comfortable with.

At the end of the day, if the literature is divided 50-50 between the advantages of the 2 possible sites for a graft, then the one you should go with is the one that your surgeon has done a lot of, and is more comfortable with.

Let your surgeon make the decision in consultation with you.

ive torn my acl twice and i am still playing college baseball so in other words the surgery will make u function again
 
however.. the first time i did my own hamstring graft and it failed miserably and retore, second time i used a cadaver patella tendon and it has been great ever since..

I worked with Rick Celebrini, he only does super athletes now in world soccer, NHL and NFL but if you do your rehab dillegently you will do well, my leaps and fitness routines, gymnastics etc, squats and such went up, I was healthier after because of the deep tissue massage and treatments. It as my left leg acl which reconstructed with half of 2 of my hamstring tendons, brought through the bone, then meniscus bucket tear which they left but it was too annoying so I when in for a trim a year later and it is now stronger than my good leg!
I highly suggest surgery especially if you want to be very active for a few years!
Plyometrics really helped, once I was ready of course, all in time.
Linda

I agree talk to your doctor. See what he/she likes to do. but one thing I do know is that they repair knees so well now Willis McGahee ripped apart his knee and 3 hours after surgery he was bending his knee and working it out. He ofcourse went in the 1st round of the NFL draft and is an amazing back.
His injury: WARNING: dont click if your squeemish.
http://www.gofish.com/player.gfp?gfid=30-1025418&hid=2141213386
But if you work hard after you start to heal you'll be better than before.