Acl

I've had two ACL repairs - one on each knee. There are two options; using your own tendon from the front of the same knee or using a donor tendon (cadaver). Since he's so young I would strongly recommend using his own tendon. Chances are he's going to continue to be active and he needs his knee as close to the original as possible. I did both; own tendon on one knee and cadaver on the other. The knee with my own tendon is much stronger than the cadaver knee, as a matter of fact I think the cadaver tendon is torn again.

Rehab when using your own tissue is harder because there are two incisions, one to harvest the tendon and one to repair the ACL. Rehab is longer as well, because you are healing from two surgeries. Took me a full year to be back to normal with the first (own tissue) repair; took about 6-8 months with the cadaver repair. Of course I was in my 30's and not a young active kid :)

A good doctor will recommend PT before the surgery, that is very important. A stronger knee going in will mean less rehab coming out. By all means fly him home if he needs surgery, in a few days he won't be in that much pain after a week or so. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

My BIL had his done 1 week before my wedding & he was still able to walk me down the aisle, it was a short aisle so he ditched the crutches and just had the knee brace & held on to me!

The surgery was really easy, recoup wearing was fine. If I recall correctly he had to wear the knee brace for a really long time...but better than being in constant pain!

If he needs the surgery, he needs the surgery, nothing you can do about it! If I were you, I would fly to him & take care of him as opposed to him having to come to me, all the while being in pain, but that's just my opinion! Don't know your situation!

Good Luck and sending positive vibes for a speedy recovery!

He's young. I had knee surgery at 16...I was on crutches for a week. All the other surgeries I've had on my knee? Walking the day of surgery and back to normal activities within 2 weeks.

They will most likely do a laproscopic surgery - so he will have 3 1/2 inch incisions on his knee - one of each side and one on the back - they will repair what they can...

I had my meniscus removed at 16. They couldn't do it laproscopically. So I have a "zipper" down the outside of my knee.

Have a list of questions for the doctor - have a pen and paper handy to write his responses down. If he trusts the doctor there in Kentucky? I would stay there instead of traveling...that's what 16 hours via car? IF they put him on crutches - traveling via airplane is a pain in the rear !!

Good luck!

A week. He is young.