Anterior cruciate ligament injury
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Anterior cruciate ligament injury (pronounced: an-TEER-ee-or KROO-she-ate LIG-uh-ment IN-jure-ee), often abbreviated as ACL injury, is a common injury to the knee that typically occurs during high impact sports, such as soccer, basketball, and skiing.
Etymology
The term "anterior cruciate ligament injury" is derived from the Latin words "anterior" meaning front, "cruciate" meaning cross, and "ligament" meaning band. This refers to the ligament's position in the front of the knee and its cross-like structure.
Definition
An anterior cruciate ligament injury is a tear or sprain of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), one of the major ligaments in the knee. ACL injuries most commonly occur during sports that involve sudden stops or changes in direction, jumping and landing, or direct contact or collision.
Symptoms
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
Causes
ACL injuries are usually caused by:
- Sudden change in direction (cutting)
- Stopping suddenly
- Slowing down while running
- Landing from a jump incorrectly
- Direct collision or contact, such as a football tackle
Treatment
Treatment for an ACL injury depends on the patient's individual needs. For example, a young athlete involved in agility sports might require surgery to safely return to sports, while an older, less active person might be able to manage with physical therapy alone.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Anterior cruciate ligament injury
- Wikipedia's article - Anterior cruciate ligament injury
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