OVERVIEW
An ACL injury is a tear or sprain of the anterior cruciate (KROO-she-ate) ligament (ACL) — one of the strong bands of tissue that help connect your thigh bone (femur) to your shinbone (tibia). ACL injuries most commonly occur during sports that involve sudden stops or changes in direction, jumping and landing — such as soccer, basketball, football and downhill skiing.
Many people hear a pop or feel a “popping” sensation in the knee when an ACL injury occurs. Your knee may swell, feel unstable and become too painful to bear weight.
Depending on the severity of your ACL injury, treatment may include rest and rehabilitation exercises to help you regain strength and stability, or surgery to replace the torn ligament followed by rehabilitation. A proper training program may help reduce the risk of an ACL injury.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of an ACL injury usually 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
Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect one bone to another. The ACL, one of two ligaments that cross in the middle of the knee, connects your thighbone to your shinbone and helps stabilize your knee joint.
ACL injuries often happen during sports and fitness activities that can put stress on the knee:
- Suddenly slowing down and changing direction (cutting)
- Pivoting with your foot firmly planted
- Landing awkwardly from a jump
- Stopping suddenly
- Receiving a direct blow to the knee or having a collision, such as a football tackle
When the ligament is damaged, there is usually a partial or complete tear of the tissue. A mild injury may stretch the ligament but leave it intact.
Complications
People who experience an ACL injury have a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knee. Arthritis may occur even if you have surgery to reconstruct the ligament.
Multiple factors likely influence the risk of arthritis, such as the severity of the original injury, the presence of related injuries in the knee joint or the level of activity after treatment.
Proper training and exercise can help reduce the risk of ACL injury. A sports medicine physician, physical therapist, athletic trainer or other specialist in sports medicine can provide assessment, instruction and feedback that can help you reduce risks.
Programs to reduce ACL injury include:
- Exercises to strengthen the core — including the hips, pelvis and lower abdomen — with a goal of training athletes to avoid moving the knee inward during a squat
- Exercises to strengthen the core — including the hips, pelvis and lower abdomen — with a goal of training athletes to avoid moving the knee inward during a squat
- Exercises to strengthen the core — including the hips, pelvis and lower abdomen — with a goal of training athletes to avoid moving the knee inward during a squat
- Being female — possibly due to differences in anatomy, muscle strength and hormonal influences
- Participating in certain sports, such as soccer, football, basketball, gymnastics and downhill skiing
- Poor conditioning
- Wearing footwear that doesn't fit properly
- Using poorly maintained sports equipment, such as ski bindings that aren't adjusted properly
- Using faulty movement patterns, such as moving the knees inward during a squat
- Playing on artificial turf
Doctors & Hospitals
Recommended Hospitals
AMRI Hospital, Kolkata
Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata
Fortis Medical Centre, Kolkata
Treatment cost
Shoulder surgery will cure your condition and reduce your symptoms so you can lead an active and normal life. But it cannot prevent future damage to your shoulder. You can help prevent further shoulder damage by:
Impact on Everyday Life
Pain control is important for complete healing and a smooth recovery. Your doctor will plan your pain management with medications and you may seek assistance if it causes discomfort or it’s not helping.
You will be allowed to go home on the same day of surgery for an outpatient procedure if you are recovering well. A hospital stay of one to two days is needed for an inpatient procedure.
You will be required to stay in the recovery room after the surgery, until you are alert, breathing effectively, and your vital signs are stable. You may have a sore throat if a tube was placed in your windpipe during surgery. This is usually temporary, but tell your doctor if you are uncomfortable.
Get a consultation now
Call us at +91 8800845946
or email care@vrozarthealth.com
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