The Anterior Cruciate Ligament, commonly known as the ACL, is a ligament located in the middle of the knee, which prevents the shinbone from sliding out of place. The ACL is among four ligaments in the knee and is one of the two cruciate ligaments. The largest ligament in the knee is the Posterior Cruciate Ligament, which is directly behind the ACL.
The ACL is one of the strongest ligaments in your knee, but it can still easily be sprained or torn. A torn ACL is one of the most common sports injuries, and is torn mainly during high demand sports such as:
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Skiing
- Football
- Gymnastics/Tumbling/Cheerleading
The ACL is mainly torn when the knee is hit hard on the side during such activity as a football tackle, when you quickly stop moving and change direction when running, and overextension of the knee joint.
Some of the common symptoms of a torn ACL are:
- A loud popping noise when the injury occurs
- Immediate pain
- Swelling 1-2 hours after injury
- Inability to straighten or bend the injured knee
- Difficulty walking
- Feeling of instability in the knee
- Knee giving way when weight is put on it
At HROSM, our doctors specialize in sports related injuries, such as a torn ACL. Our physicians are experts in minimally invasive procedures, which reduce recovery time. HROSM offers the latest in innovative procedures and we offer a physical therapy department that provides comprehensive outpatient services to meet all of your needs. Call today to request an appointment at (757) 873-1554.
