Choosing a graft is one of the most important decisions for ACL reconstruction surgery. There are pros and cons to all of the different options. In this Ask Dr. Geier video, I discuss using your own tissue versus the tissue of a donor, an allograft for ACL surgery for an active woman in her fifties.
Peggy asks:
I’m 51 years old. I play indoor volleyball in the winter and softball in the spring and summer. I did have ACL surgery on my right knee in 1999 using a patellar tendon graft from my knee. I did very well. It was a lot of hard work. I returned to volleyball in 6 months. Now at 51 I tore my ACL and meniscus in my left knee. The doctor suggested a donor graft. What’s are your thoughts on this? I’m very active for my age.
An autograft is tissue from your knee, like the middle of the patellar tendon or one or two of your hamstring tendons. An allograft is tissue from a donor who dies and donates his or her organs. This is also called an allograft.
Autografts are commonly used in high-level athletes and active young people. Traditionally, allografts have been used for older patients who undergo ACL surgery.
In this video, I discuss the thoughts on the benefits of autografts and why these can be good options for active people regardless of age. I also offer thoughts on some of the issues with each graft option, including an allograft for ACL surgery in older patients. A patient preparing for surgery after an ACL tear could think about these options and make the best decision for him or her.
Also read:
Ask Dr. Geier – ACL surgery and older athletes
Ask Dr. Geier – Knee pain with ACL grafts
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