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Overview

Name: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Description: Torn ACL

This casebook is published and has been read 1076 times.

Notes

The knee is essentially a modified hinge joint located where the end of the thigh bone (femur) meets the top of the shin bone (tibia). Four main ligaments connect these two bones:

• Medial collateral ligament (MCL) -- runs along the inner part of the knee and prevents the knee from bending inward.
• Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) -- runs along the outer part of the knee and prevents the knee from bending outward.
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) -- lies in the middle of the knee. It prevents the tibia from sliding out in front of the femur, and provides rotational stability to the knee.
• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) -- works with the ACL. It prevents the tibia from sliding backwards under the femur.

The ACL and PCL cross each other inside the knee, forming an "X."

 
The ACL is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee. It can be torn when a twisting force is applied to the knee while the foot is firmly planted on the ground or upon landing, or from a direct blow to the knee, usually to the outside of the knee, as may occur during a football tackle. The most common sports where ACL injuries occur are soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball and skiing. ACL injuries are more common in women for a variety of reasons including anatomical difference and the effect of female hormones on the joints.
The symptoms of a torn ACL include:

• An audible pop or crack at the time of the injury
• Inability to stand of the leg with a feeling of joint instability
• Extreme pain and knee tenderness
  
• Knee swelling
• Decreased ability to move the knee
  

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