Anterior cruciate ligament injury: Difference between revisions

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

CSV import
Tags: mobile edit mobile web edit
CSV import
 
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury'''
{{SI}}<br>
 
{{Infobox medical condition
| name    = Anterior cruciate ligament injury
| image    = [[File:Knee_diagram.svg|250px]]
| caption  = Diagram of the knee showing the anterior cruciate ligament
| synonyms    = ACL injury, ACL tear
| specialty  = [[Orthopedic surgery]]
| symptoms    = [[Knee pain]], [[knee instability]], [[swelling]]
| onset    = Sudden
| duration    = Varies
| causes    = [[Trauma (medicine)|Trauma]], [[sports injury]]
| risks    = [[Athletic activity]], [[contact sports]], [[previous injury]]
| diagnosis  = [[Physical examination]], [[Magnetic resonance imaging|MRI]]
| differential  = [[Meniscus tear]], [[collateral ligament injury]]
| prevention  = [[Strength training]], [[neuromuscular training]]
| treatment  = [[Rest]], [[physical therapy]], [[surgery]]
| prognosis  = Generally good with treatment
| frequency  = Common in athletes
}}
The '''Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)''' is one of the key ligaments that help stabilize the [[knee joint]]. ACL injuries are among the most common knee injuries, especially in athletes who participate in high demand sports like soccer, football, and basketball. ACL injuries can range from mild (such as small tears/sprains) to severe (complete tears). The severity of the injury dictates the treatment and recovery process.
The '''Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)''' is one of the key ligaments that help stabilize the [[knee joint]]. ACL injuries are among the most common knee injuries, especially in athletes who participate in high demand sports like soccer, football, and basketball. ACL injuries can range from mild (such as small tears/sprains) to severe (complete tears). The severity of the injury dictates the treatment and recovery process.
==Causes==
==Causes==
ACL injuries are most commonly caused by:
ACL injuries are most commonly caused by:
Line 8: Line 24:
* Jumping and landing incorrectly
* Jumping and landing incorrectly
* Direct collision, such as during a football tackle
* Direct collision, such as during a football tackle
==Symptoms==
==Symptoms==
Symptoms of an ACL injury include:
Symptoms of an ACL injury include:
Line 16: Line 31:
* Loss of range of motion
* Loss of range of motion
* A feeling of instability or "giving way" with weight bearing
* A feeling of instability or "giving way" with weight bearing
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Diagnosis of an ACL injury involves a physical examination and often imaging tests such as:
Diagnosis of an ACL injury involves a physical examination and often imaging tests such as:
* [[Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)]]: To visualize the extent of the injury.
* [[Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)]]: To visualize the extent of the injury.
* X-ray: To rule out any bone fractures.
* X-ray: To rule out any bone fractures.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the injury and the patient's needs. They include:
Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the injury and the patient's needs. They include:
* Non-surgical treatment: Rehabilitation exercises and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee.
* Non-surgical treatment: Rehabilitation exercises and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee.
* Surgical treatment: ACL reconstruction surgery to replace the torn ligament with a piece of tendon from another part of the body or a donor.
* Surgical treatment: ACL reconstruction surgery to replace the torn ligament with a piece of tendon from another part of the body or a donor.
==Recovery==
==Recovery==
Recovery from an ACL injury can take several months. A combination of physical therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and, if necessary, surgery, can help an individual return to normal activities.
Recovery from an ACL injury can take several months. A combination of physical therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and, if necessary, surgery, can help an individual return to normal activities.
==Prevention==
==Prevention==
Preventive measures include:
Preventive measures include:
Line 35: Line 46:
* Proper training and exercise techniques
* Proper training and exercise techniques
* Using proper sports equipment
* Using proper sports equipment
 
== Anterior_cruciate_ligament_injury images ==
<gallery>
File:ACL_Tear.png|Image of an ACL tear
File:Labelled_Femur_Q_Angle.jpg|Labelled diagram showing the Q angle of the femur
File:Gray347.png|Anatomical illustration of the knee joint
File:Gray348.png|Detailed anatomy of the knee joint
File:VKB-Riss_MRT_T1_PDW_sag.jpg|MRI image showing ACL injury
</gallery>
==See Also==
==See Also==
* [[Knee Injuries]]
* [[Knee Injuries]]
* [[Ligament Injuries]]
* [[Ligament Injuries]]
* [[Sports Medicine]]
* [[Sports Medicine]]
[[Category:Orthopedic Surgical Procedures]]
[[Category:Orthopedic Surgical Procedures]]
[[Category:Sports Medicine]]
[[Category:Sports Medicine]]
[[Category:Injuries]]
[[Category:Injuries]]
{{Medicine-stub}}
{{Medicine-stub}}
== Anterior_cruciate_ligament_injury ==
<gallery>
File:Knee_diagram.svg|Diagram of the knee showing ligaments
File:ACL_Tear.png|Image of an ACL tear
File:Labelled_Femur_Q_Angle.jpg|Labelled diagram showing the Q angle of the femur
File:Gray347.png|Anatomical illustration of the knee joint
File:Gray348.png|Detailed anatomy of the knee joint
File:VKB-Riss_MRT_T1_PDW_sag.jpg|MRI image showing ACL injury
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 14:09, 4 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Anterior cruciate ligament injury
Synonyms ACL injury, ACL tear
Pronounce N/A
Specialty Orthopedic surgery
Symptoms Knee pain, knee instability, swelling
Complications N/A
Onset Sudden
Duration Varies
Types N/A
Causes Trauma, sports injury
Risks Athletic activity, contact sports, previous injury
Diagnosis Physical examination, MRI
Differential diagnosis Meniscus tear, collateral ligament injury
Prevention Strength training, neuromuscular training
Treatment Rest, physical therapy, surgery
Medication N/A
Prognosis Generally good with treatment
Frequency Common in athletes
Deaths N/A


The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of the key ligaments that help stabilize the knee joint. ACL injuries are among the most common knee injuries, especially in athletes who participate in high demand sports like soccer, football, and basketball. ACL injuries can range from mild (such as small tears/sprains) to severe (complete tears). The severity of the injury dictates the treatment and recovery process.

Causes[edit]

ACL injuries are most commonly caused by:

  • Sudden stops or changes in direction
  • Jumping and landing incorrectly
  • Direct collision, such as during a football tackle

Symptoms[edit]

Symptoms of an ACL injury include:

  • A loud "pop" or a "popping" sensation in the knee
  • Severe pain and inability to continue activity
  • Rapid swelling
  • Loss of range of motion
  • A feeling of instability or "giving way" with weight bearing

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of an ACL injury involves a physical examination and often imaging tests such as:

Treatment[edit]

Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the injury and the patient's needs. They include:

  • Non-surgical treatment: Rehabilitation exercises and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee.
  • Surgical treatment: ACL reconstruction surgery to replace the torn ligament with a piece of tendon from another part of the body or a donor.

Recovery[edit]

Recovery from an ACL injury can take several months. A combination of physical therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and, if necessary, surgery, can help an individual return to normal activities.

Prevention[edit]

Preventive measures include:

  • Strengthening leg muscles
  • Proper training and exercise techniques
  • Using proper sports equipment

Anterior_cruciate_ligament_injury images[edit]

See Also[edit]

Stub icon
   This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!