Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury (ACL Injury)

An ACL injury is a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament, the ACL, the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) and Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) are the four main stabilising ligaments of the knee . 

Causes and Risk Factors:
Twisting Forces: ACL tears often occur when a twisting force is applied to the knee while the foot is firmly planted, or upon landing.Direct Impact: A direct blow to the knee, particularly from the side (e.g., during a football tackle), can cause an ACL injury.

Signs and Symptoms:
Audible Pop or Crack: A popping or cracking sound may be heard at the time of injury
Severe Pain: The injury is accompanied by extreme pain and significant swelling.
Restricted Movement: There is limited ability to move the knee, especially difficulty in fully straightening the leg

Diagnosis:
Immediate Action: Stop any activity immediately, and apply RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to the knee
Medical Assessment: A doctor will assess the injury to determine if the ACL is torn, often using medical imaging like MRI scans or X-rays

Treatment may include:
Surgical Intervention: Surgery may be necessary to repair or reconstruct the torn ACL
Physiotherapy: Pre-surgery rehabilitation is recommended to strengthen the knee and reduce swelling, which can improve surgical outcomes and aid recovery