ACL Injury
Non-contact ACL injuries occur most often when the athlete is jumping, landing from a jump, or decelerating to stop or change direction. The ligament will tear with a “pop” that can be heard by spectators and other players. Pain and immediate swelling follow. (View Video) (Download Video)
Without an intact anterior cruciate ligament, the knee is immediately destabilized. The resulting loss of correct knee alignment often results in additional injury to the medial collateral ligament and the minisci (smooth cartilagenous pads) as the athlete falls. The tibia and femur can collide with enough force to cause bruising of both bones.
ACL tears require surgical reconstruction using tendon grafts from other areas of the knee or from cadavers, followed by a long period of rehabilitation.
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