Anterior Cruciate Injury

Anterior cruciate injury is the most common ligamentous knee injury. A rapid effusion may develop following twist, rapid deceleration, or hyperextension; 35% report an audible "pop."

Causes

ACL tears may be due to contact or non-contact injuries. A blow to the side of the knee, such as may occur during a football tackle, may result in an ACL tear.

Anterior Cruciate Injury cause such as includes:

• Coming to a quick stop
• Combined with a direction change while running
• Pivoting
• Landing from a jump or overextending the knee joint

Most common causes of ACL tears.

• Basketball
• Football
• Soccer and skiing are

Signs

• Lachman ++++, gentle traction, since can be falsely negative if patient resists with muscles because of pain
• Laxity with anterior drawer +++

Treatment

Initial treatment for an anterior cruciate ligament injury includes using medication to reduce inflammation, pain and stabilizing the knee. Later treatment may include several months of rehabilitation.

Anterior cruciate injury surgery to reconstruct the anterior cruciate injury or to reconstruct the anterior cruciate injury and repair injuries that occurred at the same time, such as a meniscus tear. Most anterior cruciate injury surgery is done by making small incisions in the knee and inserting instruments for surgery through these incisions (arthroscopic surgery). Open surgery is sometimes required. Physical rehabilitation always follows surgery.