The ACL is tissue that connects the thighbone to the shinbone, at the knee. Most ACL injuries occur during certain sports such as basketball, soccer, football, skiing, and tennis.
Symptoms include knee swelling, instability, and pain.
Treatment may include surgery and physical therapy.
Common
More than 200,000 US cases per year
Treatable by a medical professional
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging always required
More common in females
Short-term: resolves within days to weeks
An ACL injury is a tear or sprain of the anterior cruciate (KROO-she-ate) ligament (ACL) — one of the major ligaments in your knee. ACL injuries most commonly occur during sports that involve sudden stops or changes in direction, jumping and landing — such as soccer, basketball, football and downhill skiing.
Many people hear or feel a “pop” in the knee when an ACL injury occurs. Your knee may swell, feel unstable and become too painful to bear weight.
Depending on the severity of your ACL injury, treatment may include rest and rehabilitation exercises to help you regain strength and stability or surgery to replace the torn ligament followed by rehabilitation. A proper training program may help reduce the risk of an ACL injury.
Various symptoms which indicate ligament damage are:
- A pop sound in the knee
- A popping sensation in the knee
- Swelling and pain within few hours of injury
- Hemarthrosis- bleeding into the knee joint
- Loss of range of motion
- Severe pain causing hindrance in continuing the activity
- Tenderness and discomfort around the joint while walking
ACL injury usually occurs during sports (like Football, basketball, soccer, tennis, gymnastics) that involve sudden or jerky movements. The following are some instances where an ACL injury can occur:
- Hard hit or collision to knee especially during a football match
- Incorrect landing during a high or long jump
- Sudden slow down or change of direction
- Road accidents
- Use knee braces during sports activity
- Follow proper techniques during exercise and sports
- Perform exercises that strengthen the leg muscles and core
- Wear footwear and necessary padding to minimize the risk
- Infection after surgery
- Stiffness
- Anterior knee pain
- Re-rupture
- Increased risk of osteoporosis/arthritis
Diagnosis involves physical examination, general test and imaging.
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