𝗔𝗖𝗟 (𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁)
An ACL tear is an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in your knee. The ACL is the most commonly injured knee ligament. Sports injuries commonly cause ACL tears. If you tear your ACL, you'll need surgery to repair it. Most people who tear their ACL make a full recovery and resume sports with no long-term effects.
𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗖𝗟 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀
Grade one
The injury stretched your ACL enough to damage it, but it's still in one piece and holds your knee bones together.
Grade Two
The injury stretched your ACL so much that it was partially torn and loosened.
Grade Three
A complete tear your ACL is in two pieces.
𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗖𝗟
The anterior cruciate ligament can be injured in several ways:
- Stopping suddenly.
- Improper landing from a jump.
- Direct contact or collision, such as a football tackle.
- Slow down while running.
- Changing direction rapidly.
- Sports injuries.
- Car accidents.
𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗖𝗟
- Loss of full range of motion.
- Pain with swelling.
- Discomfort while walking.
- Weakness or feeling like your knee is giving out.
- Tenderness along the joint line.
𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
- Don't "play through the pain" if your knee hurts during or after physical activity.
- Wear proper protective equipment.
- Stretch and warm up before playing or exercising.
- Give your body time to rest and recover after intense activity.
- Use your cane or walker if you have difficulty walking or are at risk of falling.
- Avoid planting your feet and rotating your knees. This is a common way athletes injure their ACL and meniscus.
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗖𝗟 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱?
- Ice:- Apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a thin towel to your knee for 15 minutes, a few times a day.
- Rest:- Avoid the activity that caused your injury. Don't overuse your knee while it heals.
- Elevation:- Raise your knees and legs above the level of your heart as much as you can.
- Compression:- You can wrap your knee in an elastic mattress to reduce swelling.
𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲
Recovery from a torn ACL usually takes six to nine months. Competitive athletes may need less time than this to fully recover before returning to their sport.
𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗖𝗟
A physical exam.
X-ray
A computed tomography (CT) scan.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)