SURGERY #3 – 02/10/2000 – Dr. Kimball - Playing Basketball…“Terrible Triad”

#1  Harvesting Graft #2  Ridge on Articulating Cartilage on Femoral Groove – Healthy Femoral Groove doesn’t have Ridge.  Dr. Hawkes removed some synovial fluid/tissue during his surgery.  The patella grinds on the femoral groove due to lack of lubrication, causing the ridge.

#1  New Graft – Gracilis & Semi-Tendinosus.  Graft is folded in half twice and twisted to form new ACL.  Patellar Tendon graft is the preferred method, but since I’ve had Patellar Tendonitis since age 15, this Tendon was still inflammed.  Notice the new shiny surface. #2  Harvesting Graft #4  Old ACL gone??

#1, #2, #3, #4  Grafted shiny new ACL