What has to be one of the most frustrating ACL sagas in medical history continued mid-2000.  After rehabbing and taking care for over 9 months, I noticed a slight 'slipping' in the knee when I played tennis (with a brace), or stressed it while playing golf.

I went to the Doctor July of 2000 and he agreed, there was too much play in the knee.  He was not sure why, but things were not good.  The knee was popping out on a regular basis.

Since I had been through two surgeries, I really wanted a solid knee, we decided to try a third surgery.  Until the Doctor got in there, he was not certain what had happened.  I went under the knife on 12/27/2000.

This latest surgery was a success. I was back to work the following Tuesday, although moving slowly.  Turned out the second surgery 'bone-patellar-bone graft' was not successful (it had slipped).

This last surgery was done differently than before. We used an ankle tendon (from an cadaver/donor graft), used a fastening technique that fastened the tendon at the base or bottom of the knee, and put a post through the top of the 'canal' the tendon runs through. They then 'loop' the tendon over the post, and fasten both ends at the bottom. Already, I feel the stability is great, and believe that this will help avoid the slipping that occurred in the last surgery.

Apparently, this is the current recommended 'revision' methodology (2nd and third timers). But my Doctor is doing all new surgeries this way (although he usually uses hamstring tendons from the patient).

My recovery has been VERY fast (120 degrees range-of-motion after two weeks!). My recovery is going so well, I think my Physical Therapist (the same Mike Blessing from Surgery I & II) was bored, so he discharged me after 3 weeks!

I saw the Doctor 4 weeks after surgery, and we were both pleased.  I told  him I had hoped the third surgery would be 'the charm'.  He said, the first one not working was my fault, the second one was his, so this one is it (for this knee).

After this last episode, I am convinced a good Doctor, with the right surgical procedure, that this surgery is actually not too disruptive! Your recovery  can be fast, and reliable.  

I still hope to have my left knee surgery December of 2001.  I am definitely going to use this latest approach.  It was the best (and I would know)!

Ron McClellan

February 16, 2001