Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects the thighbone to the shinbone in the front. It stabilizes the knee, by preventing it from rotating too much and moving beyond its normal range of motion. It is injured when you twist or overextend your knee, tearing the ligament. Women are more likely than men to suffer an ACL injury.

What Causes an ACL Injury?

Typically, ACL tears occur during sports. Your foot remains planted while your knee turns, you land improperly during a jump or you experience a blunt trauma.

What Are the Symptoms of an ACL Injury?

At the time of the injury

• Popping sound at time of injury
• Sharp pain
• Swelling
• Knee cannot support your weight
• Limited mobility

Later on

• Knee gives way regularly
• Arthritis

How Is an ACL Injury Evaluated?

Your doctor will conduct a physical exam by gently:

• Moving your lower leg forward. If your leg moves without reaching a firm endpoint, your ACL is torn.
• Pivoting your knee to observe if the shinbone shifts on the thighbone.

Your doctor may order an MRI to confirm the diagnosis.

How Is an ACL Injury Treated?

Self Care
Immediately after injury:

• Seek immediate medical attention, especially if the foot turns cool and blue.
• Do not attempt to move the knee. Use a splint.

Nonsurgical

The nonsurgical approach is appropriate if:

• Your knee is stable during daily activities.
• Your knee cartilage hasn't been damaged.
• You are willing to forgo activities that require pivoting, sudden slowing down or jumping

The typical nonsurgical approach is:

• Wearing a knee brace or using crutches
• Physical therapy
• Follow the PRINCE treatment model:
• P rotect your knee with a supportive brace. Use crutches until the pain subsides.
• R est your knee.
• I ce your knee several times a day for 10 to 20 minutes, until swelling subsides.
• N onsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) help with pain relief and swelling reduction.
• C ompression with an elastic compression wrap also helps reduce swelling—but it does not offer support when walking.
• E levation. Raise your knee above the level of your heart to reduce swelling and bruising.
  

Surgical

You may want to consider surgical reconstruction if your knee continues to give way, you'd like to return to a demanding sports activity, and you are willing to commit to at least six months of physical therapy after the surgery. Surgical treatment is done arthroscopically and can usually be done on an outpatient basis. It involves reconstructing the ACL by replacing it with another tendon from your own body or from a cadaver. If the meniscus is torn, that cartilage will be repaired at the same time. See ACL Repair Surgery .

For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).