The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the ligaments in the knee
joint. A ligament is a tough, flexible band of tissue that holds bones and
together.
The ACL connects the bottom of the thighbone (femur) to the top of the shinbone
(tibia). The ACL helps keep the knee stable.
What Is an ACL Tear?
The anterior cruciate (pronounced: KROO-she-ate) ligament can tear if an injury
stretches it too much. The tear might be partial (through a part of the ACL) or complete
(all the way through the ACL).
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of an ACL Tear?
Most people who tear their ACL feel pain and a "pop" in their knee when
the injury happens. Their knee usually gets swollen soon after the injury. After the
swelling goes down, someone with an ACL tear usually can walk. But the knee may feel
unstable and can "give way" and make the person stumble or fall.
What Causes an ACL Tear?
Most ACL tears happen during athletic activity. For example when someone:
changes direction or twists the knee while running
jumps and lands in a way that twists the knee
The ACL also can tear if the knee is hit forcefully from the side.
Who Gets ACL Tears?
ACL tears happen most often during sports that
have turning, cutting, and pivoting movements like skiing,
soccer, football,
basketball, and tennis. Girls tear their
ACL more often than guys do.
How Is an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear Diagnosed?
To diagnose a torn ACL, health care providers ask about the injury and do a physical
exam. During the exam, the health care provider presses on the knee and legs and moves
them in certain ways. These tests can show if the ACL is torn.
Health care providers also might order imaging tests like:
Right after the injury, an ACL tear is treated with:
RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression
(with an elastic bandage), and Elevation (raising the knee)
over-the-counter pain medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol or store brand)
or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or store brand)
Most partial tears can be treated with bracing and physical
therapy (PT). A person might need to use crutches as the tear heals.
Some complete ACL tears need surgery. The need for surgery depends on many things,
including:
the type of the activities (or sports) the person wants to do
if the person is an athlete
age
other injuries to the knee
if the knee "gives way" or feels unstable
What Happens During Surgery for a Torn ACL?
ACL reconstruction surgery
uses a graft (piece of tissue) to reconstruct (rebuild) the ACL. The graft can be
a tendon, from the patient's own body (called an autograft) or from
someone else who donated the tendon (called an allograft).
ACL repair surgery is usually done arthroscopically. This type of surgery is done
using a tiny camera (called an arthroscope) and small instruments that are inserted
through small incisions (cuts).
Recovery from ACL surgery can take 6–12 months. If you have an ACL repair, you
may use crutches and a leg brace after surgery. Some people might need a knee brace
after that.
Physical therapy is important to help the knee heal. PT helps to:
improve range of motion and flexibility
regain strength in the knee, thigh, and shin muscles
reduce pain and swelling
improve balance
How Can I Prevent Another ACL Tear?
If you had an ACL tear, there's a higher chance it might happen again. Training
programs may help you avoid another ACL tear. These focus on neuromuscular training
(NMT). NMT teaches movement patterns that lower the risk of injury, especially while
jumping, landing, and changing direction. NMT programs include stretching,
plyometrics (jump training), and balance training.
Ask your care team if an NMT program, like PEP training, is right for you.
What Should I Do?
Recovering from an ACL tear takes time. It's normal to feel angry, frustrated,
or down, especially if you can't play a sport you love.
While you heal, try to find other ways to stay involved in sports, such as keeping
score or being a team manager. Or, if you want to develop new talents besides playing
sports, this is a good time to explore a new hobby like playing the guitar, painting,
or drawing.
To get the best treatment possible:
Go to all follow-up visits and physical therapy appointments as directed.
Follow the care team's instructions for at-home exercises.
