ACL Injury
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the 4 main ligaments in the knee. The ACL combines the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) and target to balance the knee. Although the ACL is not essential for easy actions such as walking, a functioning ACL is required to contribute in activities that engage cutting, twisting, or pivoting.
Injuries to the ACL may occur next sudden acute, twisting episodes. ACL injuries are sometimes related with concomitant injuries to the meniscus (see Meniscus Tears).
Signs & Symptoms:
Typically patients report hearing or feeling a “pop” at the time of injury. Usually patients notice significant swelling over the next 24-48 hours. Although the pain and swelling may decrease, patients with ACL tears often report that their knee feels unstable or “gives out” with certain activities.
Diagnosis:
The diagnosis of an ACL tear is typically made by a combination of the patient’s history, the findings on physical examination, and an MRI scan.
Treatment:
Due to the lack of blood supply to the ACL, injuries to the ACL do not heal on their own. In addition, tears of the ACL cannot be repaired by stitching the edges of the tear together. Tears of the ACL must be treated by a surgical reconstruction; in other words, a tissue from somewhere else (either a tissue from your body (called an autograft) or from a cadaver donor (called an allograft)) must be taken and placed in the location of the ACL to create a new ACL.
