ACL Surgery - Hamstring Tendon versus Patella Tendon Grafts

Surgery vs Conservative Treatment

1 Introduction
2 Hamstring vs Patella Tedon Graft Rehabilitation >
3 Effects of Removing Part of the Tendon >
4 Suitability of Hamstring and Patella Grafts >
5 Surgery vs Conservative Treatment

Is surgery always necessary following ACL rupture? How effective is conservative treatment?

"The question of whether surgery is necessary or not is somewhat of a contentious one. To date, no one has carried out appropriately balanced randomised controlled trials to answer this question. The commonest reason given for undertaking surgery is to reduce the risk of future joint degeneration. Interestingly, recent prospective surveys (e.g. Myklebust et al. 2003, American Journal of Sports Medicine) have shown that whether or not surgery is undertaken for ACL injury the joint degenerates significantly more than in uninjured players. The same study also showed that regardless of intervention the majority of patients returned to elite level sport.

"The other reason given for surgical repair is to stabilise the joint. It must be remembered that mechanically speaking, the ACL is an incredibly complex structure and the grafts used to reconstruct it are very poor substitutes for the original. They lack the multi-band nature of the original which gives it isometric strength throughout knee movement, creating tension in some part of the ligament through the whole range of knee movement. This not only provides stability but also proprioceptive feedback. This would appear to indicate that only if the patient is neuromuscularly re-trained will the joint have any hope of becoming functionally stable, regardless of whether or not it is operated on.

Numerous studies have shown that the ACL reconstructed, or ACL deficient, patients fail to have the longevity in sport of their peers and, as mentioned above, have considerably greater joint degradation. The challenge to those in sports rehabilitation is to rehabilitate these players in such a way that they can not only return to sport, but perform as well as before with a longevity to their careers comparative to their peers and without long-term joint damage. It is for the researchers in this field to identify those players who can adapt to ACL injury (with or without surgery) and return to an uncompromised sporting career and recognise those players whose injury is the precursor to long term joint degeneration and poor functional outcome."





Recommended Products for ACL Knee Injury & Reconstruction





ACL Knee Braces & Supports


Elite Product

Mueller Pro Style Hinged Knee Brace (deluxe)

Mueller_Pro_Style_Hinged_Knee_Brace_deluxe_

Our Price
£69.99Buy Now

The patented Tri-Axial adjustable hinges provide excellent protection for skiing and sports. Ideal for prevention and...

More Details

Be seen at night!
£FREE Reflective Snap Band
FREE Drinks Bottle with this item on orders > £50
Elite Product

Donjoy Drytex Playmaker Knee Brace

Donjoy_Drytex_Playmaker_Knee_Brace

Our Price
£174.99Buy Now

ACL KNEE BRACESuperb sports and skiing hinged knee brace for ACL knee ligament injuries and cartilage tears. Has...

More Details

FREE Next Day Delivery
Elite Product

Donjoy Armor with Fourcepoint Knee Brace

Donjoy_Armor_with_Fourcepoint_Knee_Brace

Our Price
£409.99Buy Now

#1 ACL KNEE BRACEULTIMATE ACL protection - ideal for ACL rehabilitation, sports use and skiing. Delivers an...

More Details

FREE Next Day Delivery

Elite Product

Mueller Hg80 Hinged Knee Brace with Kevlar

Mueller_Hg80_Hinged_Knee_Brace_with_Kevlar

Our Price
£74.99 £69.99 Buy Now

#1 SELLING KNEE BRACE!Great for the treatment of knee ligament injuries and cartilage...
 (2 reviews)

More Details

Be seen at night!
£FREE Reflective Snap Band
FREE Drinks Bottle with this item on orders > £50
Elite Product

Donjoy ACL Everyday Knee Brace

Donjoy_ACL_Everyday_Knee_Brace

Our Price
£279.99Buy Now

Donjoy's most comfortable, lightweight and easy to use ACL knee brace - designed for daily living and non-contact sports....

More Details

FREE Next Day Delivery
Elite Product

Donjoy Legend Knee Brace

Donjoy_Legend_Knee_Brace

Our Price
£344.99Buy Now

Ideal for moderate to severe ACL and/or PCL, MCL and LCL instabilities. The Legend™ features a non-chip outer covering...

More Details

FREE Next Day Delivery




Ice Packs & Compression


Basic Product

PhysioRoom.com Instant Ice Pack

PhysioRoom.com_Instant_Ice_Pack

Our Price

  1+ £1.99
  6+ £1.49
12+ £0.99
24+ £0.50

Buy Now

SAVE UP TO 75%!A mouldable pack that becomes an instant ice pack, without the need for refrigeration. ...

More Details

Be seen at night!
£FREE Reflective Snap Band
Advanced Product

PhysioRoom.com Ice Bag

PhysioRoom.com_Ice_Bag

Our Price
£8.99Buy Now

SUPERB VALUE!Great value, reusable, fabric ice bag that can be filled with ice cubes, crushed ice or ice water....

More Details

Be seen at night!
£FREE Reflective Snap Band
Elite Product

Aircast Knee Cryo/Cuff (Self Contained)

Aircast_Knee_Cryo_Cuff_Self_Contained_

Our Price
£69.99Buy Now

NEW!Specialist knee ice therapy device. Fill it with ice and water to...
 (1 review)

More Details


Basic Product

Arctic Blast Ice Cooling Bandage

Arctic_Blast_Ice_Cooling_Bandage

Our Price
£3.99Buy Now

NEW!Instant cooling bandage that can be applied again and again. Suitable for the ankle, knee, thigh,...

More Details

Advanced Product

Mueller Reusable Cold/Hot Therapy Wrap (Large)

Mueller_Reusable_Cold_Hot_Therapy_Wrap_Large_

Our Price
£29.99 £25.99 Buy Now

Durable fabric wrap complete with one 15cm x 22.5cm (6" x 9") reusable Hot/Cold pack. Ideal for shoulder, knee, back, thigh,...

More Details

Be seen at night!
£FREE Reflective Snap Band
FREE Drinks Bottle with this item on orders > £50
Elite Product

Aircast Knee Cryo/Cuff with Cooler

Aircast_Knee_Cryo_Cuff_with_Cooler

Our Price
£139.99 £99.99 Buy Now

Ultimate knee ice therapy. Provides 6 hours continuous cold and compression to minimise bleeding,...
 (2 reviews)

More Details

FREE Next Day Delivery




ACL Rehabilitation Kit


Elite Product

AquaJogger 100 Floatation Belt

AquaJogger_100_Floatation_Belt

Our Price
£39.99 £26.99 Buy Now

The AquaJogger 100 is a floatation belt. One particular benefit is that it allows an early return...
 (1 review)

More Details

Basic Product

PhysioRoom.com Swiss Ball (55cm)

PhysioRoom.com_Swiss_Ball_55cm_

Our Price
£15.99 £9.99 Buy Now

55cm (22") diameter Swiss Ball for people 155-165cm (5'2" - 5'6") tall. Includes FREE exercise chart. ...

More Details

Be seen at night!
£FREE Reflective Snap Band
Elite Product

Sirex Monica Mat

Sirex_Monica_Mat

Our Price
£34.99Buy Now

A durable and comfortable non-slip, red mat for Yoga, Pilates and multi-purpose exercise. Features a unique fold away design for...

More Details





Related Articles

Why Shop With Us?
100% Secure
Shopping

Money Back
Guarantee

£FREE Delivery
Orders Over £65

NEXT DAY Delivery
Order By 2pm

FREE Guides
Expert Injury Help

Newsletter

Receive our latest news and offers.

Help
Safe Shopping

We use full 128-bit encryption technology to keep your order and payment details safe.

Site Secured by Comodo




FREE Medical Supplies for your Sports Club