May be a good idea in the older patient whose own tissue may be weaker than the usually young donor. This method has lost popularity recently because of some reports that it is more likely to stretch and fail than an autograft. This is partly due to the weakening of the graft caused by the need to irradiate it to prevent disease transmission. Unfortunately, even after irradiating the donor graft tissue, the risk of transmitting disease is still possible, although rare. This is not applicable to the completely torn ligament.
Surgery is done arthroscopically with no incisions.
Recovery time is dramatically faster than with a reconstruction. We are following these patients closely to determine if they will stretch. Range of motion is started as soon as the wound is checked. Early goals are to obtain range of motion and to reeducate the muscles. Weight bearing is begun immediately with crutches.