What is a Torn ACL?
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The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a strong band made of connective tissue that helps stabilize the knee joint by connecting the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia). It is one of two ligaments that cross in the middle of the knee. An ACL injury is the over-stretching or tearing of the ACL in the knee, which can be partial or complete. ACL injuries are common in sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction, jumping, and landing awkwardly from a jump. Symptoms of an ACL injury include a loud popping sound at the time of injury, severe pain, rapid swelling, loss of range of motion, and a feeling of instability or “giving way” with weight bearing
What is the most common cause of ACL injury
The most common cause of ACL injury is sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction, jumping, and landing awkwardly from a jump.
Basketball, soccer, tennis, and volleyball are some of the sports that commonly cause ACL injuries.
ACL injuries can also occur due to trauma, such as getting hit in the knee, especially if the knee is overextended.
Women are at a higher risk of experiencing an ACL injury than men, with studies showing that women athletes are at 2-10 times more likely to injure their ACL than men.
The reason for this higher risk is a combination of anatomy, biology, and biomechanics
what are the symptoms of an ACL injury?
The symptoms of an ACL injury include a loud popping sound or sensation in the knee at the time of injury, severe pain, rapid swelling, loss of range of motion, and a feeling of instability or “giving way” with weight bearing.
- popping sensation
- rapid swelling
- pain (grade 1 or 2 typically) or no pain (grade 3 or rupture)
- Swelling and tenderness in the knee
- unable to walk more than a few steps
- feel like it wants to give away
Swelling and tenderness may be immediate, and knee pain can be severe. Inability to bear weight on the leg is also a common symptom. ACL injuries often occur during sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction, jumping, and landing awkwardly from a jump.
Where do you feel acl pain?
ACL pain is typically felt deep in the knee and can be severe and debilitating.
Symptoms of an ACL injury include a loud popping sound at the time of injury, severe pain, rapid swelling, loss of range of motion, and a feeling of instability or “giving way” with weight bearing.
Some people may only feel mild pain, while others may experience excruciating pain.
After an ACL injury, it is common to have less range of motion and trouble walking
Where is ACL Swelling Located?
ACL swelling is located in the knee joint. When the ACL tears, the small blood vessels in the ligament also tear and leak blood into the joint, causing the knee joint to swell.
The swelling often occurs immediately after the injury, but it can also develop up to 24 hours later and may last up to a week. The knee may feel unstable and too painful to bear weight due to the swelling.
A person with an ACL tear may also experience tenderness around the knee joint, deep aching pain in the knee, bruising around the knee, and numbness down the leg below the knee in severe cases
Causes of an ACL Tear
The most common cause of an ACL injury is sports injuries, especially those that involve sudden changes in direction or pivoting maneuvers, such as football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, downhill skiing, lacrosse, and tennis.
- playing a sport with direction changes
- sudden twisting of the knee while the foot is stuck
ACL tears can also occur during any trauma, such as during a car accident, falling off a ladder, or missing a step on a staircase.
Most ACL tears are non-contact injuries, meaning that they are not caused by another player kicking the knee.
ACL injuries are more common among girls than boys. ACL tears are most common between the ages of 15 and 45, mostly due to the more active lifestyle and higher participation in sports
how can you tell if you tore your acl?
If you tore your ACL, you may experience a loud popping sound at the time of injury, severe pain, rapid swelling, and loss of range of motion.
You may also feel instability or a “giving way” sensation when bearing weight. Swelling typically occurs 6-24 hours after the injury.
ACL injuries often occur during sports that involve sudden stops or changes in direction, jumping, and landing awkwardly from a jump
What does a minor ACL tear feel like?
People with a mild ACL injury might feel like their knee is unstable, or like it might “give out” when they are using it. A minor ACL tear may cause tenderness, swelling, moderate knee pain, and some limit to mobility.
A minor ACL tear is also known as a Grade I sprain, which occurs when the fibers of the ligament are stretched, but a tear does not exist.
Symptoms of a Grade I sprain include tenderness, swelling, moderate knee pain, and some limit to mobility.
Patients with a Grade I sprain can usually be treated without surgery. When the ACL is torn, patients may experience a popping sound at the time of injury, pain, swelling, knee instability, and a feeling of instability or “giving way” with weight bearing. The knee may also give out and collapse.
A loud pop or a “popping” sensation in the knee is a common symptom of an ACL tear. The pop is so loud it can even be heard by others. With a torn ACL, swelling is typically immediate and knee pain can be severe. If you suspect you have a minor ACL tear, it is important to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment options
