The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of four primary ligaments that hold the knee together. Ligaments are tissue that connect and hold bones together to provide stability in the knee. The ACL is located inside the knee joint, running diagonally in the middle of the knee and connecting the bottom of the thigh bone, or femur, to the top of the lower leg bone, or tibia. It is in charge of rotational stability in the knee but it also prevents the tibia from sliding forward in front of the femur. The ACL is one of the most injured ligaments in the knee. Many ACL injuries occur in conjunction with damage to other components of the knee joint, like cartilage, meniscus, or other ligament damage. Injury to the ACL happens most often in sports, but it can happen if the knee is hyperextended or forced to twist abnormally, whether from suddenly changing direction or stopping, slowing down while running, incorrectly landing while jumping, or direct contact or collision. Symptoms of a torn ACL vary, depending on severity. Many patients hear a popping noise, followed by the knee "giving." Other symptoms might include painful swelling, impaired mobility and range of motion, and joint tenderness.To diagnose this condition, your doctor will complete a physical exam and review your medical history. X-ray, MRI, and other tests may be done to gauge the severity of the injury in order to determine the best course of treatment. If the damage to the ACL occurs without making the knee unstable, or if the patient is elderly or has a very low physical activity level, conservative treatment like bracing and physical therapy are attempted first. If the injury is severe and the knee is unstable, this operation will likely be performed. ACL tears are usually complete or near complete tears, and most of these tears are not able to be repaired. ACL reconstruction is used to replace the ACL with a tissue graft. Only your physician can determine the right treatment for your injury. Rehabilitation is a very important part of recovery from ACL injuries, no matter how severe. After ACL reconstruction surgery, your doctor will prescribe physical therapy exercises. Adherence to these exercises is very important for regaining normal mobility, strength and range of motion. Recovery time varies according to rehabilitation severity of injury, and other factors. All information provided on this website is for information purposes only. Every patient's case is unique and each patient should follow his or her doctor's specific instructions. Please discuss nutrition, medication and treatment options with your doctor to make sure you are getting the proper care for your particular situation. If you are seeking this information in an emergency situation, please call 911 and seek emergency help. All materials copyright © 2020 Smith & Nephew, All Rights Reserved.Anterior cruciate ligament injury
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Need an orthopedic doctor? I would highly recommend Dr. Brook Adams. I couldn’t have chosen a more caring orthopedic doctor. When I decided to see Dr. Adams for a possible total knee replacement, he made me feel at ease when we discussed my options, and I decided to proceed with the total knee replacement. I knew I was in good hands after my first visit, his confidence and expertise was evident. I wasn’t just a another patient to him, he truly…
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Dr. Adams discussed different options with me, I chose to have my knee scoped. I couldn’t be more pleased with my results. Two weeks postoperative my knee feels great and no more pain I experienced before surgery. Dr. Adams, office staff and surgical staff were professional and friendly and made for a successful…
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