How is RGIII?

[JMUSkins]

Trying to get an internet link Schefter said it on a recent live cut on Sports Center, it is now running across the ESPN scroll line under Surgery.

No worries... I found this on ESPN:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/conversations...y-ready-opener

[TheDane]

From ESPN News Schefter: Dr. James Andrews determined Griffin has complete tear of the patella graft that was used to repair his torn ACL in 2009, Andreews likely will usa a patella graft from Griffins other knee to repair the most recent tear. Stay tuned for more updates

Where are you seeing this. It is not on Twitter.

In the article, it says "likely" but not definitive. Is it definitive now?

[deejaydana]

I would not want to be his knees when he's 50. He's gonna be gimping around like Ditka.

The tens of millions of dollars help.

[demarc007]

Type of surgery being done

[Fat Stupid Loser]

I'm no medical expert, I just was wondering about the rationale behind the decision. Maybe one of our board members in the health industry can shine some light.

Graft sources are basically patellar tendon, hamstring tendon, or cadaver. Patellar tendon is generally thought to be the strongest tendon, and the most similar to the ACL they are replacing. Seems to go in cycles which graft is preferred, but usually comes back to the Patellar tendon. Hamstring tendons are easier recovery due to not having to take the middle third of the patellar tendon out for grating. It weakens the patellar tendon until healed and hurts. Cadaver tendons not great.

He will use the healthy knee for graft harvest because the other patellar tendon has been used already. Patellar tendon harvest is the "superficial" part of the surgery. He will not have to "go into" the other knee.

[JMUSkins]

Where are you seeing this. It is not on Twitter.

In the article, it says "likely" but not definitive. Is it definitive now?

Read the article I posted at the top of this page (193) It has a lot of info....

[#98QBKiller]

I would not want to be his knees when he's 50. He's gonna be gimping around like Ditka.

This isn't necessarily true, I have an uncle who was a big skier and has had the same knee reconstructed twice. He's 60 now and gets around just fine.

[poidog22]

Does anyone else find it concerning that Andrews is choosing to open up RG3's healthy knee in order to fix the damaged one? I would think that you would want to avoid doing something like this because of the way RG3 plays. Why not go with a hamstring graft or use one from a cadaver?

I believe I've read that the patella graft is stronger than a hamstring graft and getting a graft from a cadaver can result in tissue rejection which would set him back considerably longer.

[Vrikk]

This is not nearly as bad as I feared. 6-8 months is better than "missing the entire season". The kid better take this as a sign to not stay in the game until he can't walk again. His knees just told him this.

[mcgraw238]

Graft sources are basically patellar tendon, hamstring tendon, or cadaver. Patellar tendon is generally thought to be the strongest tendon, and the most similar to the ACL they are replacing. Seems to go in cycles which graft is preferred, but usually comes back to the Patellar tendon. Hamstring tendons are easier recovery due to not having to take the middle third of the patellar tendon out for grating. It weakens the patellar tendon until healed and hurts. Cadaver tendons not great.

He will use the healthy knee for graft harvest because the other patellar tendon has been used already. Patellar tendon harvest is the "superficial" part of the surgery. He will not have to "go into" the other knee.

So he has had a patellar tendon graft from each knee, thus this is not an option if he suffers a future ACL injury?

[TheDane]

I'm no medical expert, I just was wondering about the rationale behind the decision. Maybe one of our board members in the health industry can shine some light.

This is certainly an acceptable plan if Robert's first graft did indeed fail. Removing a portion of the patellar tendon (by itself) does not require a major rehabilitation. Given the length of rehab for an LCL and ACL reconstruction, there should be no additional effect on rehabilitation timetable.

Curious to know, if Andrews ends up using hamstring tendon to repair the LCL, which leg he takes it from.

So he has had a patellar tendon graft from each knee, thus this is not an option if he suffers a future ACL injury?

Likely correct.

[endzone_dave]

I had the hamstring verson done this year and it certainly weakens the hamstring. I could see how pro athletes wouldn't want this option.

[RFK Lives]

OK, we seem to have some people pretty familiar with this procedure in this thread...thinking forward, what sort of follow up or is there a way to monitor the strength of the tendons? Can this be judged accurately by an MRI? This is the future of the franchise for a while so I know expense is not an issue but wonder, even if rehab goes perfectly, will we ever truly know whether it is stronger before he starts making RGIII type plays?

[Fat Stupid Loser]

So he has had a patellar tendon graft from each knee, thus this is not an option if he suffers a future ACL injury?

Correct.

[HOF44]

I think the 6-8 month quotes are not taking into account it's his second ACL reconstruction. Look up ACL Revision Surgery, it's a much less known quantity as far as rehab time and return to previous function. My guess is he either does not play next season or at least until late in the season.