hypermobility and ACL tear

[blueberry09]

Hi

I have pretty flexible joints, just done a Beighton score on myself and I recon it comes out at about 6/9.  I havn't had any serious joint problems before now, no operations (yet), although my ankles often roll over when walking on uneven ground, and i get sciatica and have a mild spondylolisthesis in my lower spine.

Few weeks ago  I managed to rupture my ACL in a skiing accident, just waiting for the MRI to see if there is other damage too.

I wanted to know whether mild / moderate, benign hypermobility (is this what i have got?) makes any difference to whether I opt for ACL reconstruction.  As my joints are generally rather floppier than most, is this more of a reason to have it done, or are there more complications?  Current plan is to try conservative treatment for a few months and if it is unstable then to operate.

Many thanks

[Linds]

I have hypermobility and I had a grade 2 ACL tear in 2006. 

It was a long slow slog... My Orthopedic surgeon didn't want to touch reconstruction with a ten foot pole.  My knees are a bit of a mess already due to hypermobility/alignment issues.  I struggled for 14 months with instability and alot of pain.  I did physio to strengthen the muscles around the knee...

I had surgery after 13 months to look around, clean up bits and pieces... whcih made a big difference.

I'm pretty stable now on that ACL, but like I said it was a grade 2 which is alot of damage but not a total tear. It has it's days...

An ACL reconstruction will never be as good as what your own body has but if you are really unstable, reconstruction I would think would be the best option , since the rest of your connective tissues probably aren't all that tough to hold the knee together.

However, if you haven't had any instabilities (other than your ankles) so far.. you'll probably do just fine with an ACL reconstruction, if that's whats required.

Goodluck.. I know that was a big ramble.. with not much REAL information..