An anterior cruciate ligament injury, aka ACL injury, happens when the ligament is either stretched, partially torn, or completely torn. The ACL is one of the major ligaments in the knee. It connects your thighbone (femur bone) to your shinbone (tibia) and stabilizes your knee joint. ACL injuries are common in athletes who play sports that involve sudden stops, jumping, or quick changes in direction. This includes sports like football, soccer, skiing, basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics. Symptoms of an ACL injury include knee instability, pain, and a loud pop at the time of injury. Oftentimes, other parts of the knee, like cartilage and surrounding ligaments, are damaged as well. If you have suffered an ACL injury, it is best to seek medical attention sooner than later.The knee joint is very complex, so prompt and accurate diagnosis is necessary for proper treatment. A physical examination is performed to check for tenderness around the knee, range of motion, and joint looseness. Depending on the results from the physical examination of the knee, an MRI may be necessary as well. Treatment will generally include rest and rehabilitation exercises to strengthen and stabilize the knee. A severe injury can also require surgery to replace the torn ligament prior to rehabilitation.
