Anyone had LCL Replacement?

I am in week 10 after my Knee surgery. I had ACL cadaver graft and meniscus repair. Take it easy and follow what the PT says to the letter at first. Be patient too!

There's been a number of AFL footballers in Australia who've had LARS surgery. I'd try hitting them up on Twitter, you may get lucky with a response re recovery/best exercises etc... At a guess these would be the best guys on the planet to ask, no more demanding a sport than AFL. Current players that I'm aware of who've had LARS are -


Nick Malceski (plays for Gold Coast) - https://twitter.com/nmalceski_9

Rhyce Shaw (plays for Sydney) - not sure of his twitter status

Anthony Morabito (plays for Fremantle) - not sure either.

I know AFL players sometimes opt for LARS as they can get back to playing at the elite level sometimes within only 6 months as opposed to the typical 12 month recovery from a traditional reco.

DendexGI had ACL replacement from hamstring graft but also LCL with LARS (artificial) graft a week ago, just struggling to find anyone with similiar cirumstances to ask about how the recovery went. Used search and couldn't find anything, interested to hear if anyone else has done the same thing?
Had to take it super easy to let the LARs settle so had a brace on almost the whole time, but think I have full extension atm, first physio on Monday so we'll see.

You had LARS on your LCL, not your ACL? Seeing a lot of LARS on the ACL when I google around, but nothing about the LCL. Still looking though because this LARS thing has piqued my interest.

Yeah LARS on my LCL, hamstring graft on ACL. Saw my surgeon today and he says he's super happy with how it's gone and swelling etc at two weeks, just frustrating as I'm still not allowed to bend my knee beyond 45 (due to the LCL), so I'm a long way behind people recovering from ACL only at this stage.

So what is LARS? is it a specific type of procedure or tool used in surgery?

bardissonoSo what is LARS? is it a specific type of procedure or tool used in surgery?

http://www.lars-ligaments.com/about-us/

It is a polythylene implant, shaped like a bundle of fibers, that goes into the knee. It is put "around" the damaged ligament. I think it can only be done on ligaments that aren't fully blown. It helps the damaged ligament heal faster. It is controversial because it has a higher rate of blowing out again than a traditional reconstruction. But it has a significantly shorter recovery time than a normal reconstruction. It was actually (or still is, idk) banned in the united states.

I don't think LARS would be the best for an ACL. An LCL definitely isn't as risky.

Rparrhttp://www.lars-ligaments.com/about-us/

It is a polythylene implant, shaped like a bundle of fibers, that goes into the knee. It is put "around" the damaged ligament. I think it can only be done on ligaments that aren't fully blown. It helps the damaged ligament heal faster. It is controversial because it has a higher rate of blowing out again than a traditional reconstruction. But it has a significantly shorter recovery time than a normal reconstruction. It was actually (or still is, idk) banned in the united states.

I don't think LARS would be the best for an ACL. An LCL definitely isn't as risky.

Wow, that's really cool! Best of luck to op on a quick and successful recovery!

@dented
I know this is an old thread. How did you get on with your Lars for your LCL
Just had the same. Hamstring for ACL and Lars for LCL

Would love to know the same as also just had hamstring graft for ACL and Lars for LCL.
17 days post surgery. Did have a hemotoma on LCL side... which was drained, so hoping that's not me body saying no to it!

1st ACL was hammy. didn't work, blew up took LCL with it.

2nd ACL bone graft plus patellar tendon, LCL cadaver... 2 year later feels strong/tight with full range motion..... DR.LaPrade at Steadman clinic is the man!