Common Sports Injuries

Caring for Your Cruciates

If you’re an athlete, you’ve likely heard the words “ACL injury” a thousand times. These injuries involve the over-stretching or tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Located in the middle of the knee, the ACL gives rotational stability to the knee and – just like a rubber band – prevents the shinbone from sliding in front of the thighbone.

While some people can function with a torn ACL, these injuries tend not to heal on their own, and usually require surgery to prevent the knee from constantly giving out.

Without treatment, the bones may rub against each other, damaging the tissue covering the bone ends, and sometimes also tearing the pads cushioning the knee joints.

ACL tears can happen when the knee joint is twisted, or bent backward or from side to side. They can happen from a blow to the side of the knee, or if, say, you miss a step and fall from a ladder.

Coming to a quick stop, in combination with a directional change while landing from a jump, pivoting, or running can also result in an ACL injury.

Females are eight times more likely than males to injure their ACL. Part of the reason may have to do with the way women and girls land when they jump.

How do you know when an ACL injury has occurred?

• Feeling or hearing a pop in the knee at the time of injury
• Knee swelling within the first few hours of injury
• Limited knee movement because of pain or swelling
• Pain on the outside and back of the knee, especially when you try to put weight on the injured leg
• The knee feeling unstable, buckling, or giving out

While it may be tempting to cope with the pain, and wait to see if an ACL injury will heal on it’s own, it’s best to consult your physician. Unrepaired ACL tears can lead to early arthritis/osteoarthritis in the affected knee.