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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
An ACL injury is the tearing of the anterior cruciate (KROO-she-ate) ligament in your knee. An ACL injury may make your knee feel unstable or loose, and your knee may "give way" if you return to your sport too quickly.
Although an active lifestyle benefits your overall health, exercise isn't always easy on your knees. The anterior cruciate ligament is especially susceptible to the demands of certain sports, such as volleyball, gymnastics, basketball, soccer and football.
Treatment of an ACL injury may include surgery to replace the torn ligament, along with an intense rehabilitation program. As for prevention, if your favorite sport involves pivoting or jumping, a proper training program can help you avoid an ACL injury.
- Friedberg RP. Anterior cruciate ligament injury. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- ACL injury: Does it require surgery? American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00297. Accessed Dec. 18, 2008.
- Friedberg RP. Patient information: Anterior cruciate ligament injury. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- Hergenroeder AC. Treatment of knee injuries in the young athlete. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- Spindler KP, et al. Anterior cruciate ligament tear. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;359:2135
- Murray MM. Current status and potential of primary ACL repair. Clinics in Sports Medicine. 2009;28:51
