Center for Advanced Sports Medicine: InjuryDetail: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear
 
Injuries and Conditions: Knee: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear: Medical Details
 
Overview
An ACL injury occurs when the anterior cruciate ligament becomes damaged through either a pull, twist, tear or other disruption of the knee. An injured ACL reduces stability in the knee and decreases support of the knee joint during athletic activity.
  • Injuries can vary in severity, ranging from a minor sprain to a complete tear or rupture of the ligament.
  • Injuries usually occur during an activity where the knee is forced side-to-side or unnaturally twisted.
  • Less serious injuries are frequently treatable with physical therapy alone, although a torn ligament will usually require surgery (a completely torn ligament cannot repair or reattach itself).
  • ACL surgery typically utilizes part of the patient's own patellar tendon to rebuild the injured ligament.



  • Anatomy 


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