| The knee ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament is a key | | | | can put weight through the leg they describe a sense |
| stabilising ligament of the knee. It prevents the shin | | | | of instability, or a feeling their knee will give way on |
| bone (tibia) from excessively moving forward or | | | | them, especially with change of direction. |
| anteriorly in relation to the femur (thigh bone). It is | | | | It is very important for anyone who suspects they |
| also in resists rotation force between these bone | | | | may have injured their knee ACL that they |
| ends. | | | | immediately Rest, Ice, Compress, Support and get a |
| Knee ACL tear is a common injury that occurs in | | | | diagnosis from a knee specialist, sports physician, or |
| many sports. Ligament injuries occur when the joint | | | | physiotherapist as soon as possible. |
| disruption forces exceed the forces supplied by the | | | | In all cases the patient needs to see a |
| supporting muscle and ligaments. Knee ACL injuries | | | | physiotherapist for strapping and bracing support, |
| can be either a grade 1 sprain where a few fibres of | | | | restore range of motion strength and stability. This is |
| ligament are torn and there is minimal ligament laxity. | | | | vital to optimise recovery, prevent recurrence and |
| A grade 2 knee ACL injury occurs when more | | | | assist in preventing post-traumatic arthritis. |
| ligament fibres are damaged and there is moderate | | | | In the case of knee ACL rupture, patients need to |
| joint laxity. A grade 3 injury, or ACL rupture is when | | | | see a knee specialist orthopaedic surgeon. Most |
| all the fibres are completely torn through. With knee | | | | patients will benefit from surgical reconstruction of |
| ACL rupture the patient will often describe that they | | | | the ACL, using a hamstring or patella tendon graft. |
| planted their foot, twisted their body, and heard a | | | | There is a lengthy post-operative rehabilitation |
| pop. They are often unable to put weight on the leg | | | | process of at least six months of guided |
| initially, and can get significant swelling. When they | | | | physiotherapy home and gym-based rehabilitation. |