tn pilot 85
New Member
First off, I know this post seems a little out of place, but I want to hear from other pilots on the subject and not an AME. I tore my ACL playing hockey about a week ago and need surgery to fix it. I am considering having a patellar tendon graft to repair the damage. However, I am afraid this type of graft might cause me long term discomfort while flying.
With a patellar tendon graft I am taking a small strip of my patella to replace my ACL. The surgery will basically leave a cavity in my patella, although most of the bone is supposed to eventually regrow. However, alot of people who recieve this type of surgery report having long term tendonitis and discomfort in their knee especially during elevation changes or when low pressure systems role in.
Obviously, this would be a problem for me since I am a pilot. Have any other pilots on this forum have had this type of surgery or an ACL replacement in general? If so does it bother you while flying? How long was the recovery, and how long did it take you to get back to flying. Right now it seems like I am going to have put off my CFI training for at least a few months.
My only alternatives to replace my ACL are to use a cadaver part or use a piece if my hamstrings. I do not want to use a cadever part because it creeps me out too much. I also do not want to use my hamstrings because they never grow back, however I might do it if the this is the only safe bet with flying. Again, I would appreciate any advice on the subject from any pilot that has experience with ACL surgery.
With a patellar tendon graft I am taking a small strip of my patella to replace my ACL. The surgery will basically leave a cavity in my patella, although most of the bone is supposed to eventually regrow. However, alot of people who recieve this type of surgery report having long term tendonitis and discomfort in their knee especially during elevation changes or when low pressure systems role in.
Obviously, this would be a problem for me since I am a pilot. Have any other pilots on this forum have had this type of surgery or an ACL replacement in general? If so does it bother you while flying? How long was the recovery, and how long did it take you to get back to flying. Right now it seems like I am going to have put off my CFI training for at least a few months.
My only alternatives to replace my ACL are to use a cadaver part or use a piece if my hamstrings. I do not want to use a cadever part because it creeps me out too much. I also do not want to use my hamstrings because they never grow back, however I might do it if the this is the only safe bet with flying. Again, I would appreciate any advice on the subject from any pilot that has experience with ACL surgery.