ACL Injury
An ACL tear is one of the most common knee injuries in athletes. Learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options to get you back in the game.
What is the ACL?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four major ligaments that stabilize the knee joint. It runs diagonally through the middle of the knee, connecting the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia).
The ACL prevents the tibia from sliding forward and provides rotational stability to the knee. When the ACL is torn, the knee may feel unstable, especially during cutting, pivoting, or jumping movements.
Symptoms of an ACL Tear
ACL injuries typically occur suddenly during athletic activity. Common signs include:
- A loud "pop" at the time of injury
- Severe pain and inability to continue activity
- Rapid swelling within a few hours
- Loss of range of motion
- Feeling of instability or "giving way"
- Tenderness along the joint line
Seek Immediate Care If:
- • You heard or felt a “pop” in your knee
- • Your knee is rapidly swelling
- • You can’t bear weight on the leg
- • Your knee feels very unstable
Early evaluation and proper diagnosis are important for optimal outcomes.
How ACL Injuries Happen
ACL tears often occur during sports that involve sudden stops, direction changes, or jumping.
Sudden Direction Changes
Cutting or pivoting quickly while the foot is planted
Direct Contact
A blow to the knee, common in contact sports like football
Improper Landing
Landing awkwardly from a jump with the knee extended
Sudden Stops
Decelerating abruptly while running
Risk Factors
- Female athletes (2-8x higher risk than males)
- Sports involving cutting and pivoting (soccer, basketball, skiing)
- Poor conditioning or muscle imbalances
- Playing on artificial turf
- Previous ACL injury
Diagnosis
Dr. Hunter will evaluate your knee through:
- • Physical examination with specific ligament tests
- • Review of how the injury occurred
- • MRI to confirm the tear and check for other damage
- • X-rays to rule out fractures
Treatment Options
Non-Surgical Treatment
May be appropriate for less active individuals or partial tears:
- • Physical therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles
- • Bracing during activities
- • Activity modification
ACL Reconstruction
Recommended for active individuals who want to return to sports:
- • Arthroscopic surgery with graft reconstruction
- • Multiple graft options (patellar tendon, hamstring, allograft)
- • Structured rehabilitation program
- • Return to sport typically 6-9 months
Related Conditions
Get expert evaluation for your knee injury
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Hunter to discuss your ACL injury and create a treatment plan to get you back to your active lifestyle.