ACL Injuries

By: Kayla Murray

My Personal ExperienceWhile playing summer ball in Shelbyville, I

went in for a lay up and when I planted my right foot, my knee gave out and I hyperextended it. I immediately fell to the floor and knew it was something serious. After multiple visits to the doctor, we soon found out I had torn my ACL and would have to have surgery.

What Exactly is an ACL?The ACL or anterior cruciate

ligament is a strong ligament located in the anterior, or front, portion of the knee. It runs from the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (leg bone) connecting these two bones together. The purpose of the ACL is to control the movement of the knee joint. It acts to limit side-to-side motion as well as prevents the knee from straightening beyond its normal range of motion.

How Does it Happen?

You often tear your ACL with quick sudden movements involving turning or twisting, or a blow to the knee.

Most ACL tears occur during non-contact activites

SymptomsPainPop SoundSwellingLoss of strength and instabilityLimited Movement

Evaluation and AnalyzationYour physician will evaluate x-rays of the

knee to assess for any possible fractures, and a MRI may be ordered to evaluate for ligament or cartilage damage. However, MRI studies may not be needed to diagnose an ACL tear. In fact, the physical examination and history are just as good as a MRI in diagnosing an ACL tear.

SurgeryACL reconstruction surgery uses a graft to

replace the ligament. The most common grafts are autografts using part of your own body, such as the tendon of the kneecap (patellar tendon) or one of the hamstring tendons. Another choice is allograft tissue, which is taken from a deceased donor.

Who is More Prone?Women are more prone to several

sports injuries than men based simply on biomechanical differences. One such difference is a wider pelvis in women then men. Many sports medicine experts have linked a wider pelvis to a larger "Q" (Quadriceps ) Angle - the angle at which the femur (upper leg bone) meets the tibia (lower leg bone). On average this angle is degrees greater in women than in men. It is thought that this increased angle places more stress on the knee joint.

How to Prevent ACL Tears

Athletes can reduce their risk of ACL injuries by performing training drills that require balance, power and agility. Adding plyometric exercises, such as jumping, and balance drills helps improve neuromuscular conditioning and muscular reactions and ultimately shows a decrease in the risk of ACL injury. Many team physicians now routinely recommend an ACL conditioning program, especially for their female players.

It Can Happen to AnyoneAn ACL tear is most often a sports-related

injury. ACL tears can also occur during rough play, motor vehicle collisions, falls, and work-related injuries.

Works Citedhttp://

orthopedics.about.com/od/aclinjury/tp/acl.htm

http://orthopedics.about.com/od/aclinjury/p/symptoms.htm

http://www.myerssportsmedicine.com/acl-tear-symptoms.htm

http://www.drwaltlowe.com/symptoms-of-an-acl-tear/

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00297