An ACL injury is one of the most difficult injuries an athlete or active person can suffer. You usually need surgery to return to your sport or exercise. What graft you choose for the surgery can play a role in your outcome. In this Ask Dr. Geier video, I discuss graft options and one specific complication of one of the most popular graft options. Does a patellar tendon graft for ACL surgery cause knee pain?

Christina asks:
My 16-year-old daughter tore her ACL and MCL during soccer while playing the field. We have done much research and are leaning towards the patellar tendon graft. However, it was recently brought to our attention that this type of surgery is not recommended for people whose work requires them to be on their knees. Her main position for club soccer is goalkeeper. I’m wondering if this is the best option or if a different graft would be better?

There are many pros and cons to the different ACL reconstruction graft options – patellar tendon grafts, hamstring grafts and even allografts. Patellar tendon and hamstring autografts are generally good options for young athletes.

There is concern using a patellar tendon graft in someone who performs a job where he kneels a lot, such as a carpenter or mechanic. The direct pressure on that tendon can be uncomfortable. For that reason, many orthopaedic surgeons choose hamstring grafts or other options for those patients.

In this video, I discuss different graft options for ACL surgery.

Patellar tendon graft used as the ACL graft
The middle third of the patellar tendon (yellow arrow) is the graft for the ACL reconstruction in this procedure.

Also read:
Ask Dr. Geier – Graft options for ACL surgery
Ask Dr. Geier: Risk of tearing the ACL graft or the opposite knee’s ACL

Recommended Products and Resources
Click here to go to Dr. David Geier’s Amazon Influencer store!
Due to a large number of questions I have received over the years asking about products for health, injuries, performance, and other areas of sports, exercise, work and life, I have created an Amazon Influencer page. While this information and these products are not intended to treat any specific injury or illness you have, they are products I use personally, have used or have tried, or I have recommended to others. THE SITE MAY OFFER HEALTH, FITNESS, NUTRITIONAL AND OTHER SUCH INFORMATION, BUT SUCH INFORMATION IS DESIGNED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE CONTENT DOES NOT AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CONVEY MEDICAL ADVICE AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS INFORMATION AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR, NOR DOES IT REPLACE, PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. THE SITE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACTIONS OR INACTION ON A USER’S PART BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT IS PRESENTED ON THE SITE. Please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.