I flew back to NJ to meet and go over the m.r.i. with my surgeon, Dr. Thrower out of Westfeild, NJ. I felt most comfortable with him because he did surgery on my first knee and about six years later I have virtually no problems with this knee (pretty much after the first year I didn't have much pain anymore.)
Dr. Thrower looked at my m.r.i. and saw no apparent damage to my PCL or lateral meniscus. This was good news because Dr. S in Salt Lake said I had really messed those up.
He also said that meniscus repairs happen during ACL surgery. So Dr. S's suggestion of getting meniscus now and then waiting for the ACL later was out of the question.
Despite not wanting to get surgery after lots of thought, I came to the conclusion it would be better to get the surgery as soon as possible. My plan is to do the first 2 months on rehab in New Jersey where my parents can help me and drive me (it's my right knee) and then when I'm on my feet I can return to Salt Lake and finish my rehab there. Dr. Thrower set my surgery date for July 21, 2010.
Next I had to decide if I wanted an autograft (patella tendon) or an allograft (cadaver graft). It was very appealing for me to get a cadaver graft because they are supposed to be less painful, and you are up an moving and feeling better initially. Also it leaves less scars and you aren't in surgery for as long. The negative about it is that the graft isn't as strong as the patella. After lots of research online and my doctors recommendation I will be getting the patella tendon graft as my new ACL. Dr. Thrower said for my level of activity I should get it. The cadaver grafts work really well for less active and older people. But with my age, and freestyle skiing the patella tendon is the best option for me. Sa la vee knee without scars.
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