The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is in the middle of the knee. It helps connect the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone) and also helps provide stability to the knee. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimates that 200,000 individuals suffer injuries to the ACL every year. An ACL injury occurs when the ACL is overstretched or torn.
Causes
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimates that 70 percent of ACL tears occur from noncontact injuries and 30 percent occur from contact with another player or object. Sports such as basketball, gymnastics, football, soccer and skiing that require quick stops, sudden direction changes, landing from a jump, and pivoting put an individual at increased risk for an ACL injury.
Symptoms
A loud "pop" can be heard and you may experience severe pain when you injure your ACL. Swelling of the knee occurs within six hours after the injury. Your knee may feel like it is "giving way" and you may not be able to stand or put weight on your leg.
Treatment
For an acute ACL injury, The Mayo Clinic recommends icing your knee every two hours for 20 minutes, elevating your knee, wrapping an elastic bandage around the injured knee, and taking ibuprofen and other pain relievers for pain. In the event of severe injury, do not move until medical help has arrived and your knee has been immobilized. If you are active and want to resume sports or other recreational activities, if your knee is unstable and if you want to reduce further damage to your knee, surgery to repair your ACL may be necessary. If you do not participate in sports that put you at risk for further injury, if your knee is stable and does not hurt during normal activities or if you have a partial tear and your cartilage has not been damaged, participating in a rehabilitation program that includes physical therapy may be done instead of surgery.
Prevention
To reduce your risk of injuring your ACL, The Mayo Clinic recommends you improve your conditioning by stretching and doing strengthening exercises, plyometrics and aerobics as well as exercises that improve your balance. A woman has a greater chance of injuring the ACL ligament, so extra care should be taken to stretch and strengthen the hamstrings and quadriceps. If you are playing a seasonal sport, staying fit year-round can help minimize ACL injuries during the season. Make sure to use proper techniques while exercising or engaging in sports.
Considerations
At the same time an individual injures the ACL, he can also tear the cartilage between the thigh and shin bone in the knee, known as the meniscus. A torn meniscus can cause joint problems and may need to be surgically repaired. The Mayo Clinic states that even with surgery, 50 percent of individuals with an ACL tear will develop arthritis 10 to 20 years later.
