If you tear your ACL:

• Your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) prevents too much forward movement in your knee.
• To injure the ACL requires a sudden pivoting movement or blow to the knee joint.
• Football, soccer or netball are common sports with a high incidence of ACL injuries. Other activities include losing control of your skis or falling off a ladder.
• The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), centrally located behind the ACL, is less frequently injured.

Signs and Symptoms of a torn ACL

Injury to the ACL is like unraveling rope fibres. A partial tear can also occur but is rare. You can also injure other parts of the knee at the same time as you injure your ACL.

At the time of the injury

• you may feel a "pop" or "snap".
• Rapid onset of swelling and intense pain is usually immediate.
• You may also experience too much "play" in the joint.
• Typically, you will be unable to continue with the activity, and immediate first aid is essential: ice, elevation and bracing the joint.
• Seeking medical advice as soon as possible is advisable.

After an ACL is torn

• if left untreated the knee can become quite unstable. You may experience episodes of your knee giving way, or buckling.
• The severity differs person to person. Instability can range from mild buckling with vigorous activity to severe buckling climbing stairs or attempting normal activities.

Picture of torn ACL

Joint Solution

It takes proper care, teamwork, time and dedication from us and your physiotherapy to restore your knee joint's stability. Before your knee can be treated, you will need an evaluation. After treatment, you play a valuable role in your recovery.

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