Torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament
(Torn ACL or ACL Injury)

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Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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• Torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (Torn ACL) Facts
• Knee Anatomy
• Causes of an ACL Tear
• Torn ACL Symptoms and Signs
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Torn ACL Diagnosis
• Treatment and Recovery Time for an ACL Tear
• Prevention of an ACL Tear
• Prognosis of a Torn ACL
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editor

• The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four ligaments that help stabilize the knee. It is the most commonly injured knee ligament.
• ACL injury usually occurs when the knee is hyperextended (straightened) and a pivot occurs simultaneously. The injury may occur with or without contact.
• Women have an increased risk of ACL injury because of differences in anatomy, muscle mass, and training.
• Symptoms of ACL tear include hearing a loud pop as the ligament tears, pain, knee swelling, and difficulty walking.
• Diagnosis is made clinically by physical examination and usually confirmed by MRI.
• Surgery and rehabilitation is the most commonly suggested treatment, though in patients who are sedentary or do little sports activity, a nonoperative approach is a possibility.
• Postoperative rehabilitation may take six to nine months to return to full activity.

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