Pros and Cons of a Hamstring Graft for ACL Reconstruction Surgery

Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of a hamstring graft for ACL surgery.
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[@BradLeviLagus]

wish you released this 3 years ago been through 2 acl surgeries and my first one was with a hamstring graft and i’ve never felt the same since. for my second one i got a quadricep graft and my quads recovered very fast but my hamstring to this day gets pulled almost everytime. i was a college athlete and never got a chance to have a full season healthy.( for all my field sport athletes go with a quadricep graft. your hamstrings are super important for your first step)

[@PedroFeliz5]

Despite having both hamstring grafts, I am still able to play basketball at a high level.

[@cyril113]

I think in Germany most people are getting hamstring grafts. Even athletes. It's a regional thing and it's not necessarily worse.

[@MadeleineKuhl]

I struggled talking to my drs after being hit by a bike causing knee trauma I was most worried about my kids and long term lumber stregth needed. I had massive VMO and need to on my Gluteal engagement and hamstring control. Brain and lumber is needed for my job and mortgage payments I struggled to get my words out with the hussle in surgeon. Im so worried about my hammies and glueteal. I don’t use knee angles in my work for money. I looked after my VMOs and ankles anyway but I don’t know how to talk to the surgeons. I got no words in and im dead certain on my work The drs saw my muscel mass on VMOa and gluteal mechanical than but now 6 weeks in brace and broken patella my legs have lots all size and only tiny VMO activation and visual. I’m insured but the bike hit me and I am a single mother so the drama with that was worse than the knee

[@ithug664]

I have an acl tear and the doctor that I went to said I should do the hamstring graft I don't really know if that would be the right decision.

[@TaekwondoNinjaWar]

What about a quadricep graft? That is what I had done per Doctors advice. I'm 19, and one year post op. I also had the LET procedure as well. My ACL is in my head and don't have the confidence to return to sport. Not sure if I will ever be ready.

[@searcherer]

What about hamstring graft with double bundle technique?

[@christouvelos4897]

often you also get scar tissue where they cut the tendon and then the hamstring has a major weakness when you try and do weights

[@David_lfc8]

@wesleywangptdpt1068 Hi another great informative video. I'm currently 8 weeks post acl hamstring graft, and both lateral and medial meniscus bucket tear repair. Its very interesting hearing you mention about will you ever get full rom back from a hamstring graft. Pre injury and op i was 140 rom, now post op im currently hitting a wall at 115 degrees. I was never informed by my surgeon at pre op assessments about the lack of rom from a hamstring graft post surgery. Im determined to gain as much rom as i can, but now thinking what if 115 is all there is.

[@amoreazione3563]

Hey David, may I ask you if you have managed to increase your range of motion? I’ve been told I would get harmstring surgery for my ACL reconstruction and I’m not sure whether to go for it

[@Mayank-rs7kg]

Bro I am in hospital rn and my surgery is tomorrow at 8 am. Hamstring is the graft my surgeon said and I am up for it. How is your ROM rn?

[@reillygeritz7384]

I also was guided to the hamstring graft by my orthopedic surgeon, in addition to the LeMaire LET procedure to reinforce and decrease rate of retear. Any thoughts on that combination? For context, I’m a 25-year-old very active female, engaging in cutting sports, biking, and rock climbing (when not recovering from surgery)

[@wesleywangptdpt1068]

I personally don't see a lot of LET procedures so unfortunately I can't weigh in on that. As far as reducing your chances of getting injured, I'd make sure that you are symmetrical in quad and hamstring strength. Hamstring strength, particularly at deeper knee flexion angles is the hardest to get back with a hamstring graft.

[@reillygeritz7384]

Thank you for the response and for these videos! Will do-Day 6 post-op today, but will work towards symmetry :)

[@amoreazione3563]

Hey Reilly. May I ask you how long it took you to be able to walk (properly walk, even for longer tracts) after your ACL surgery?

[@rezamassoudi6634]

my doctor heavily stressed the hamstring graft for me & said the difference was not as severe as you are stating, disappointing to hear.

[@wesleywangptdpt1068]

just make sure you are properly strength tested before you return to full activities.

[@hamodedon2597]

Can I talk with you please

[@monasi9474]

Ah i must be in this population of over 25..(45yo😜) and got a hamstring graft... Oh well the future will tell of what recovery ill have... But 10 days post op i had flexion 130 degrees and good extension.. In UK they dont put you in the brace at all... Its my second surgery... My first one was just arthrofibrosis removal as doctors left me too long with locked knee post injury and after first surgery it took me good 4 months to get full flexion and 6 months to be able to sit with my knees fully flexed... You know when your heels touch your buttocks pose... So people please dont get discouraged and let your bodies heal... You will get there(provided you do your phisio regularly of course😊)

[@MrBrownii13]

Hi, you probably just had an acl surgery or also meniscus? How are you now?

[@Mayank-rs7kg]

How is your knee doing now? Also your hamstring and range of motion.

[@lokeshsathish6952]

@@Mayank-rs7kg i got surgery 3 weeks ago. I feel great, doing squats and climbing stairs. still need to striaghten my knee a little more but my knee feels stable