LARS (ligament augmentation and reconstruction system) (1 Viewer)

[kurtrudder]

I don't believe that any NFL players have yet attempted to have this kind of surgery to repair a torn ACL but I think it's only a matter of time. Interestingly enough, this procedure has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States so perhaps we might even see players travelling to Canada, France or Australia to have this surgery.

Below are some related links:

http://www.larsligament.com.au/index.html - This one includes an interesting animation of how the surgery works.

http://www.larsligament.com/

Australian Rugby League (NRL) player opting for LARS: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/luke...o-1225851583260

Australian Rules Football (AFL) players having the surgery:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tab...20/default.aspx

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tab...38/default.aspx

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tab...57/default.aspx

Excerpts from their website:

LARS are a range of synthetic ligament augmentation and reconstruction devices, for use in a wide variety of applications from ACL and PCL reconstruction to ankle and shoulder repairs. Designed to­ mimic the normal anatomic ligament fibres, the intra-articular longitudinal fibres resist fatigue and allow fibroblastic ingrowth. The extra-articular woven fibres provide strength and resistance to elongation.

Clinically proven applications for LARS include:

* PCL reconstruction

* ACL repair

* Augmentation of the medial-collateral ligament

* Achilles tendon rupture

* Lateral instability of the ankle

* Acromio-clavicular joint dislocation

* Rotator cuff repair

The construction of the LARS ligament is the result of many years' detailed research into finding a suitable material for this application and the best way to apply the material to produce the various ligaments available.

The material used is polyethylene terephthalate - an industrial-strength polyester fibre which has the ideal characteristics for ligament replacement applications. Each type of LARS ligament contains a specific number and length of fibres, depending on the intended use, and varying leaders to facilitate passage through the bony tunnels.

The intra-articular portion of the LARS ligament is made of longitudinal fibres without transverse or crossing components. The fibres are oriented to the ligament they are made for, to mimic the anatomic fibres. This patented structure allows a high resistance to fatigue, especially in flexion, as well as providing a porosity favouring fibroblastic ingrowth which then isolates the synthetic fibres. In the extra-articular portion the same parallel fibres are kept united by a process of warp knitting. This knitting process minimises secondary elongation (as opposed to braided or woven fibres).

Resistance to traction varies with the number of longitudinal fibres - approximately 1,500N for 30 fibres, 2,500N for 60 fibres, 3,600N for 80 fibres, and 4,700N for 100 fibres.

 

[Jeff Tefertiller]

:sehorn: good topic

 

[Das Boot]

The LARS technique would have come in really handy 12 years ago.

for further advancements

 

[kurtrudder]

The LARS technique would have come in really handy 12 years ago. for further advancements

tell me about it......I'm a year removed from ACL surgery myself and am really surprised that I had not heard of this technique before. Being from Australia, I will be closely following the cases which I provided links for in the OP. These cases seem to be the first of their kind in a sport that is comparable to the NFL.

 

[Truman]

Luke Covell did what? Hmm, I may have to tune in to some Sharks games later this year. We will know before the football season how effective that operation is for an injury which has previously been a season-ender in every sport.

 

[kurtrudder]

http://sportal.com.au/afl-news-display/rod...the-swing-89832

Further follow up to another player who had this revolutionary surgery, back playing at the highest level 4 months after a torn ACL. As per the article, he suffered the injury just before Christmas.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

This kind of reminds me of the European answer to sports hernias. Soccer players have returned in 1-2 weeks whereas NFL players and other US athletes have taken over a month to recover.

 

[JetMaxx]

I need this surgery as we speak. Any place in the US doing it?

ETA: Just re-read the OP.

 

[Sammy Traveller]

I need this surgery as we speak. Any place in the US doing it?ETA: Just re-read the OP.

unfortunately Obamacare doesn't extend beyond our borders.

 

[kurtrudder]

update on Luke Covell, Australian rugby league player who has the LARS surgery in April.

http://www.sharks.com.au/default.aspx?s=ar...ay&id=25688

 

[rowdywalker]

One of the first AFL players to get the procedure done was Nick Malceski. He had it done last year and although he returned to play within the season he seemed to lack burst and pace. It has been 12 months since his operation and now he seems to be his old self. So although it may get a player back maybe not to what he was.

 

[chook]

I always figured Braylon Edwards had the LARS done given how ridiculously quick he came back (and that at the time - prior to Malceski - all ACL tears were still 12 months out for AFL players).

 

[Mimo]

I'm trying to remember but did Rod Woodson and Jerry Rice come back and play in the same season they had ACL tears?

 

[Sweet Love]

I'm trying to remember but did Rod Woodson and Jerry Rice come back and play in the same season they had ACL tears?

Not sure about Woodson, but Rice did and I believe he broke his kneecap or had some type of setback due to his aggressive schedule. I just blew out my ACL (second time in the same knee) and while I find out the MRI results on Monday, there is no doubt in my mind (or really my doc's either), that I blew it out again. My first one was in 1992 and I was playing college hockey. The party line then was 7 months for contact (at the earliest), with it really being 9 months until it is as stable as it will get (I believe the stability quotient between 7 and 9 months was only about 5%). When I groaned at hearing the prognosis, the doctor was quick to tell me that it is way different from when I had it the first time around. I am going to ask him about LARS (I have a small chance it was the LCL (which is like "kiddie surgery" compared to an ACL), to see if there is anything I can do.I do have to admit this LARS thing kind of reminds me when people went to Canada to lasic surgey...some came back fine, a few got messed up, but would still be willing to take the risk; not that I have to get back on the ice soon, but with a two-floor home and three young kids, I am always carrying someting/someone up the stairs...

 

[ATC1]

 

[kurtrudder]

update on Luke Covell, Australian rugby league player who has the LARS surgery in April.

http://www.sharks.com.au/default.aspx?s=ar...ay&id=25688

First two links - Luke Covell returns to rugby league in 11 weeks.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/18/2931021.htm

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/lu...x-1225882027576

3rd link - Interview with Luke Covell after having played a couple of games on his LARS surgically repaired knee. He describes the procedure as well as some details as to how it works post surgery in the interview.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/audio/2010/07/03/2944015.htm

As I am posting this, he is playing his first game in the NRL for the Cronulla Sharks. He has already played a number of games at a lower grade/minor league competition level before his return to the elite level today.

 

[kurtrudder]

http://bigpondvideo.com/nrl/279471/rd18-kn...s-v-sharks-hls/

Highlights of Luke Covell's comeback match. At 0:50 in the clip, he missed a tackle which lead to a try to the opposition. At 1:40 in the clip Covell scores a fairly basic try in his comeback match. Will be interested to watch the full game and look at his performance more closely.

 

[_lurker_]

Did Welker get LARS? If not, I wonder how he's progressing so quickly?

 

[zed2283]

Did Welker get LARS? If not, I wonder how he's progressing so quickly?

I think people overstate progression back from ACL surgery. It takes a year for a full recovery, but that doesn't mean you can't be back on the practice field or able to compete in a relatively short amount of time. I mean, when was Welker's surgery, 6 months ago?? That's enough time.ETA: R.Woodson came back and played in the same season he tore his ACL.

 

[kurtrudder]

Did Welker get LARS? If not, I wonder how he's progressing so quickly?

I think people overstate progression back from ACL surgery. It takes a year for a full recovery, but that doesn't mean you can't be back on the practice field or able to compete in a relatively short amount of time. I mean, when was Welker's surgery, 6 months ago?? That's enough time.ETA: R.Woodson came back and played in the same season he tore his ACL.

I'm not sure how you can down play the post ACL comeback, what logic do you base it on that 6 months is enough time? Being on the practice field and being effective at the highest level in live action are vastly different things.This goes double for a guy like Welker's whose game is predicated on his quickness and elusiveness. How do you expect Welker to turn those dump off passes into 1st downs when the hardest parts about coming back from an ACL are regaining the short area quickness, first step explosion and cutting ability?

 

[kurtrudder]

another link providing great info about LARS

http://www.hipandkneesurgery.com.au/lars-a...nstruction.html

 

[zed2283]

Did Welker get LARS? If not, I wonder how he's progressing so quickly?

I think people overstate progression back from ACL surgery. It takes a year for a full recovery, but that doesn't mean you can't be back on the practice field or able to compete in a relatively short amount of time. I mean, when was Welker's surgery, 6 months ago?? That's enough time.ETA: R.Woodson came back and played in the same season he tore his ACL.

I'm not sure how you can down play the post ACL comeback, what logic do you base it on that 6 months is enough time? Being on the practice field and being effective at the highest level in live action are vastly different things.This goes double for a guy like Welker's whose game is predicated on his quickness and elusiveness. How do you expect Welker to turn those dump off passes into 1st downs when the hardest parts about coming back from an ACL are regaining the short area quickness, first step explosion and cutting ability?

I base it on my own experience. I realize I'm not a world-class athlete, so save me any sarcasm. But it's all relative, in my opinion.So Welker is back on the practice field looking good in 6 months. Isn't that what we're talking about?

 

[kurtrudder]

Did Welker get LARS? If not, I wonder how he's progressing so quickly?

I think people overstate progression back from ACL surgery. It takes a year for a full recovery, but that doesn't mean you can't be back on the practice field or able to compete in a relatively short amount of time. I mean, when was Welker's surgery, 6 months ago?? That's enough time.ETA: R.Woodson came back and played in the same season he tore his ACL.

I'm not sure how you can down play the post ACL comeback, what logic do you base it on that 6 months is enough time? Being on the practice field and being effective at the highest level in live action are vastly different things.This goes double for a guy like Welker's whose game is predicated on his quickness and elusiveness. How do you expect Welker to turn those dump off passes into 1st downs when the hardest parts about coming back from an ACL are regaining the short area quickness, first step explosion and cutting ability?

I base it on my own experience. I realize I'm not a world-class athlete, so save me any sarcasm. But it's all relative, in my opinion.So Welker is back on the practice field looking good in 6 months. Isn't that what we're talking about?

That would make 2 of us....both no world class athletes...both had a torn ACL and been thru the rehab.No we are not talking about being on the practice field.....we don't get fantasy points for being on the practice field....we are talking about what Welker will do come Week 1. I think if Welker doesn't have any set backs, he will battle thru but I bet you his YPC will be down this season on his previous work with the Pats.

 

[zed2283]

Did Welker get LARS? If not, I wonder how he's progressing so quickly?

I think people overstate progression back from ACL surgery. It takes a year for a full recovery, but that doesn't mean you can't be back on the practice field or able to compete in a relatively short amount of time. I mean, when was Welker's surgery, 6 months ago?? That's enough time.ETA: R.Woodson came back and played in the same season he tore his ACL.

I'm not sure how you can down play the post ACL comeback, what logic do you base it on that 6 months is enough time? Being on the practice field and being effective at the highest level in live action are vastly different things.This goes double for a guy like Welker's whose game is predicated on his quickness and elusiveness. How do you expect Welker to turn those dump off passes into 1st downs when the hardest parts about coming back from an ACL are regaining the short area quickness, first step explosion and cutting ability?

I base it on my own experience. I realize I'm not a world-class athlete, so save me any sarcasm. But it's all relative, in my opinion.So Welker is back on the practice field looking good in 6 months. Isn't that what we're talking about?

That would make 2 of us....both no world class athletes...both had a torn ACL and been thru the rehab.No we are not talking about being on the practice field.....we don't get fantasy points for being on the practice field....we are talking about what Welker will do come Week 1. I think if Welker doesn't have any set backs, he will battle thru but I bet you his YPC will be down this season on his previous work with the Pats.

Ok, I thought the question was how is Welker progressing so quickly? Since the season hasn't started yet, he's still on the practice field.