Hey Rip,
I'd like your sage advice for literally a friend. I've tried the search feature and the case doesn't quite fit.
30 yo female partially tore her right ACL a year ago. I don't know what grade tear. She has some pain and instability and can feel the edges of the tear catching when the knee bends. So far she has had at least 3 dr appointments about it and they are saying the decision is her's whether to get surgery as it is in a grey area. It is mostly functional but she is also not pushing it hard in the way she would like to (marital arts, etc) and used to.
I think I know your stance on hamstring harvesting for a graft (no fucking way) and an allograft does not seem to be an option for her (insurance restriction).
Between the last appointment and now, her Dr told her to push it as much as possible to test its actual stability. That involved a week of martial arts classes. The result was again middle road. Pain and soreness but no actual instabiilty but also she indicated due to being out of shape and rusty, she didn't really think she pushed it as hard as she'd like to.
Also, the Dr. is changing his story/suggestions. It started off 'do it', to 'we can go in, look at it, and decide whether to clean it up or repair it then' to 'we can't just go in to evaluate it, you need to decide, I can't tell you want to do' and because of that she has another consultation this Wednesday with another Dr.
I've suggested heavily to her she should DTFP to strengthen the joint but I suspect you know the response. She's thinking mobility exercises and high rep BW will strengthen it. Mind you, she DID ask me to look into it and is actively seeking advice so I was not just proselytizing lol.
Would you please weigh in? Leave it alone, rehab of some ilk, do clean up surgery, do full graft surgery(hamstring), or 'other'.
Thanks Rip.