AJ's knee

[wolftone57]

This is a very interesting case, in terms of a a benefit that exponents of the LARS graft, don't have it working how it should.

Advocates cite the "fact" that if the LARS ruptures, it can be replaced with another LARS & with the accelerated rehab permitted by the LARS, the player doesn't spend as much time out of the game.

Without knowing Alex or his surgeon, the "infection" could conceivably be his body's reaction to a foreign material (the LARS material - while bio-compatible, it can sometimes elicit an inflammatory reaction).

Quite possibly, the traditional graft is the only option which would see a return likely for the 2016 season.

He got the infection from the original graft as well so that isn't an option. The traditional graft didn't take either. The infection is worrying because as the article explains it is not showing up in tests and never has. They only know there is an infection there due to the knee reaction; swelling. What they need to do is identify what is causing the infection and isolate it.

[goswannies]

He got the infection from the original graft as well so that isn't an option. The traditional graft didn't take either. The infection is worrying because as the article explains it is not showing up in tests and never has. They only know there is an infection there due to the knee reaction; swelling. What they need to do is identify what is causing the infection and isolate it.

Just because one autologous (traditional) graft doesn't take, doesn't mean subsequent ones won't. Sometimes, for whatever - unknown -reason, the autologous graft doesn't "take" - often it fails to vascularise, so the first part of healing doesn't even start. Consequently, a "dead" vascular tendon is being held in position by a couple of screws. But a subsequent autologous graft can successfully vascularise. The big problem for Alex is the number of reconstructions he's having. Not just for his football career, but for his life & knee condition when he's well retired.

He got the infection from the original graft as well so that isn't an option.

By the original graft, you mean the first LARS? That would be consistent with a reaction to the synthetic material. The old carbon fibre synthetic grafts used to degrade over time & many if not most developed an inflammatory reaction, that's why they mostly went out of vogue. LARS has been pro ported to have lower incidence of such wear & degradation (although not immune to it).

[Mel_C]

This is so devastating ????. I can only imagine what he is feeling.
Hopefully he can continue to have a positive attitude and get through this. It's got to be hard though.

I always remember him from the 2012 GF parade. We were standing in pouring rain for a couple of hours and his car stopped right in front of us. There was Alex with such an excited and exuberant facial expression. He was going nuts!!

[Doctor]

Dreadful news, and all the more frustrating because it's the infection causing the problem rather than the reconstruction, so we don't even know yet whether or not the reco will be successful, if they can get rid of the infection.

[Hotpotato]

Some medical procedures in this case have to be under investigation.
Well it sounds unacceptable.

[SA Swan]

Struth. He would be the only player in the history of the game to have had more knee reconstructions than scoring shots!

[0918330512]

Struth. He would be the only player in the history of the game to have had more knee reconstructions than scoring shots!

Jason Smith Richmond 1991. 1 game, 0 goals. ACL on debut. Never played seniors again .... but I get your point. Get well Alex.

[barry]

I was just thinking it would be good to see AJ next year. Might be the end for him.

[goswannies]

Aaahhhh if doc Larkins is right, the the infection comes from a skin dwelling bug. While a usually innocuous one, the concern will likely be that regular antibiotic treatment has failed to kill it. This can be a problem as when you make incisions & have to operate deep within the joint, it is a potential passage for the bug to get to where the graft is. Unfortunately, infections are a risk of any surgery, that all patients are warned about

[SA Swan]

Jason Smith Richmond 1991. 1 game, 0 goals. ACL on debut. Never played seniors again .... but I get your point. Get well Alex.

Phuck! You have access to some serious stats.

[0918330512]

Phuck! You have access to some serious stats.

He was a pretty good swimmer, I used to swim against him before he was drafted

[Bloody Hell]

Absolutely horrendous.

[tasmania60]

So much sympathy for the young fella hope he heals and keeps healthy really should think he should step away from footy !

[Auntie.Gerald]

man i feel for the guy

There are a fair few players when they get to this cross road find themselves in a very very difficult predicament to get their knee back to 50% let alone 100%

[Ajn]

Remember watching the 360 highlights of the 2012 final, in his celebration he bends back so far I was concerned for his knees. Wonder how long a small tear may have hung around in a knee ligament. Tore the next pre season....