Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
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One of the most common knee injuries is an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sprain or tear. The ACL is one of the key ligaments that help stabilize your knee joint. It is the tissue that connects the thigh bone to the shinbone.
The ACL can be injured in several ways:
- Stopping or changing direction rapidly
- An improper landing from a jump
- Trauma like direct contact from sports or some other type of collision
Sports involving sudden stops and changing directions are the most common culprits for ACL injuries. This includes sports like basketball, soccer, tennis, football, skiing, and volleyball.
Studies have identified female athletes as more likely to incur an ACL injury than male athletes in certain sports. About half of the ACL injuries are accompanied by damage to other structures in the knee, such as articular cartilage, meniscus, or other ligaments.
Partial ACL tears are rare. Most ACL injuries are complete or near-complete tears.
Injured ligaments are considered "sprains" and are graded on a severity scale from Grade 1 to Grade 3.
Treatment may include surgery and physical therapy.
Signs and Symptoms
- Knee swelling
- Instability or loss of full range of motion
- Tenderness and discomfort while walking
- A "popping" sensation in the knee
- Severe pain and inability to continue activity
Non-Operative Pain Management
Sports Medicine
What's Next? Treatment Options...
To find out more about treatment options and specialized care, please call Columbia Orthopaedic Group at (573) 876-8141 and schedule an appointment or request one below:
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Columbia Orthopaedic Group
1 South Keene Street
Columbia, Missouri 65201
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During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to meet our team, learn about our services, and discuss potential treatment options best suited for your needs.