Getting back to the knee - interesting article this morning about LARS (mentions AJ, Shaw, Malceski), and how it's no longer seen as the miracle procedure.
Whatever happened to LARS? The miracle cure that was too good to be true - Sport - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
One thing that is often overlooked in the LARS debates is the initial intention of the graft.
LARS is an acronym for Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System. The artificial LARS graft can be used in one of two ways.
1) as a “stand alone” reconstruction (ie it’s a synthetic ligament that just replaces the torn ACL) in which case it’s similar to every other synthetic graft and prone to failure. The advantage is the quick recovery as stated in the article you linked. It’s also possibly better than the older carbon fibre synthetic grafts that degraded and left micro particles that the body reacted to.
2) LARS ligaments can be used in conjunction with suturing to the remaining section of the ruptured ligament (or perhaps augmenting an autologous patella tendon / hamstring graft). This is the true benefit of a LARS graft. You get the benefit of early strength provided by the synthetic ligament when the healing ACL is biologically at its weakest, but you will get the strength of a fully healed ACL at later stages of rehab when a synthetic graft may not be strong enough to withstand the rigours of sport.
Unfortunately it was more commonly used the first way.
A little bit of column A, much more of column B
It allows you to do more during that early period (when the graft would be at greater risk of compromise) which advances things for the later period.
The graft was first developed in France and the rehab protocol that they developed in conjunction does accelerate things. However it doesn’t take into account the unique rigours of Aussie sports such as football or netball.
Last edited by goswannies; 17th August 2018 at 12:28 PM.
Last edited by goswannies; 17th August 2018 at 12:26 PM.
Wild speculation, unsubstantiated rumours, silly jokes and opposition delight in another's failures is what makes an internet forum fun.
Blessed are the cracked for they are the ones who let in the light.
I think you are about half right on this one mate. Yes, they earn good money and most are semi-retired before they hit 60, partially because
they can get blamed when things don't go so well, and get very little recognition when things go okay. I reckon Alex should give it another go.
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