More pics from my ACL surgery, courtesy of Dr. Nuber’s team at Northwestern Orthopaedics Institute.
When they cut me open to reconstruct my ACL, they found (or didn’t find) my old ACL. Dr. Nuber said it disinegrated.
And here’s the newly constructed and freshly attached ACL.
My friend Katie said it looks like crab meat. My friend Annie says it looks like sushi. What do you think it looks like?
Looks like something that the dogs got a hold of and had some fun. Ouch!
I agree with the crab meat. Hehe.
I think it looks like hope. Red, stringy hope.
I don’t know what it looks like, but its better than what you had. Works much better. Dad
Aww, thanks, Dad! You’re the best. You would know because you coached me through years of competive sports, saw me shortly after the tear and watched me in the OR. I look forward to it working much better
I just had this done last week. I am 53 and was very active, so not really a choice to have it done or not. I blew out the ACL by falling off a ladder, taking wallpaper off the ceiling. I, too, have a big brace on, and am doing PT. I stop taking pain meds two days after surgery, as they gave me a hell of a headache. My knee feels stiff, but not really painful. We used a “donor” ACL because of my age, so I hope the person was nice and didn’t go around kicking people….lol.
Good luck with your recovery!
Hi Kathy!
Great to hear your story! Keep me posted on how everything goes. The cadaver graft is the most popular, or so they tell me, but I hear the recovery time is quicker for it, as well.
i had surgery on my ACL as well a few years ago and the whole experience is traumatizing and takes a mental toll especially if you are a young athlete!
Nice pictures. Just got this surgery myself, and am reading up on others’ experiences. I had no idea that ACLs could disintegrate …
Topher