ACL
ACL- Anterior cruciate ligament.
- Weaker of the two cruciate ligaments
- It connects from a posterio-lateral part of the femur to an anterio-medial part of the tibia
Function…
- Prevents posterior displacement of the femur on the tibia and hyperextension of the knee joint.
- Limits posterior rolling of the femoral condyles on the tibial plateau during flexion and turns it into a spin.
Injuries to the ACL…
- The ACL is the most commonly injured knee ligament and is most common in athletes (generally field sports such as- soccer and football).
- The ACL is often torn during sudden dislocation, torsion, or hyperextension of the knee.
- Usually the injury occurs when someone tries to rapidly change direction with the leading leg out, twisting the knee. Or sudden high pressure contact, especially side on.
- Generally if the knee is locked, and the leg is firmly planted, then there is a much greater risk of injury.
ACL rupture can be divided into three main causes:
· Environmental causes: e.g. sports
· Hormone causes: high levels of specific hormones are associate with ACL ruptures- oestrogen is one of these hormones, thus women are at a higher risk of injury
· Anatomical causes: e.g. female athletes tending to land more straight-legged than men, removing the quadriceps’ muscles shock-absorbing action on the knee. Often the knee on a straight leg can’t withstand this and bends sideways
Symptoms of someone with an ACL rupture:
Symptoms of an ACL injury include hearing a sudden popping sound, swelling, and instability of the knee (i.e., a “wobbly” feeling). Continued athletic activity on a knee with an ACL injury can have devastating consequences, resulting in massive cartilage damage, leading to an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life.
