Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Description

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament: Why It’s Important and Ways to Look After It

Ever twisted your knee? Or maybe, you have once witnessed an athlete tumbling down and clutching his or her leg? Well, most likely, that has got something to do with an ACL, or rather the anterior cruciate ligament. This small but mighty organ in your knee does great things to be able to walk, run jump, and even turn fast. Therefore, let us now give a kind and simple understanding of what the ACL is, what happens when it is hurt and how people recover from it.

What is the ACL?

The ACL is an acronym for a single ligament of the four principle ligaments that are essential for keeping the knee joint intact. These are tough bands of tissue that join bone to bone. The ACL unites one’s thigh bone (femur) to one’s shinbone (tibia) in the middle of the knee.

The ACL goes over, inside the knee, another ligament named the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament). These two make an “X” shape, and their work is to keep your knee steady and not let it slide or move too much in the wrong direction.

Why Is the ACL So Important?

Despite being tucked deep inside your knee, the ACL is a busy little bodyguard; it makes sure your knee stays steady when you:

• Twist or pivot on your leg
• Sudden shifts in running direction
• Jump-and the subsequent landing
• Abrupt stops

If an ACL isn’t strong, it might send a wobbly feeling, or give way, when one is active. That’s why athletes, dancers, even regular walkers and people who exercise all need it to work well.

How Do ACL Injuries Occur?

ACL injuries are pretty common and seen more in athletic populations. Not that one must necessarily fall or be struck to tear the ACL, as at times a simple sudden movement may suffice. Common causes include: Changing direction too quickly when running, awkward landing from a jump, sudden stops or slow downs, and getting hit hard on the knee during a game or an accident.

ACL injuries are mostly associated with sports such as football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and skiing.

How it Feels

Many people will report hearing or feeling a “pop” in their knee at the time of the ACL tear. Shortly after this, they may have:

• Heavy swelling and severe pain within hours of onset
• Feeling that the knee is loose or unstable
• Difficulty in walking or standing properly
• Decreased ability to bend or straighten the knee

If these symptoms appear in you or someone around you, it would be good to go for a doctor’s check-up as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

How Do Doctors Check for an ACL Tear?

To determine if the ACL is torn or damaged, doctors will:

• Ask about the incident in which the injury occurred
• Feel and test the knee
• Order an MRI to visualize inside the joint

Some treatment without surgery.

For example, not all injuries need to be operated upon; lifestyle and the extent of the injury dictate this. Depending on the size of the tear and if he is a non-athlete or нas low to moderate physical activity, surgery may not be indicated at all, and treatment may be limited to:

• Resting and staying away from painful movements
• Putting on a supportive knee brace
• Undergoing physiotherapy for increasing strength and enhanced balance

2. With Surgery

Usually, it is the best choice to undergo surgery when the ACL is completely torn or when a person wishes to get back to sports. Typically, doctor replaces the torn ACL with a small piece of tendon taken from the person’s own body or from a donor.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovering from an ACL injury especially after surgery takes time usually 6 to 9 months. Most people with appropriate care go back to their preinjury activity level by doing the things they love. The process may involve:

• Therapeutic exercises for reducing swelling and improving joint mobilization
• Leg muscle strength training
• Balance and coordination training
• Gradual resumption of daily activities/sports

Patience and compliance with the doctor’s advice really makes a difference in healing well.

ACL Injury Prevention

Though every injury cannot be prevented, the risk can definitely be reduced by:

• Warming up before playing or exercising to build strong muscles in the legs and the core
• Learning the correct way to jump, land, and turn without causing harm to yourself
• Wearing the right kind of shoes and using proper sports gear
• Avoiding sharp, sudden changes in activity levels

Final Thoughts

The ACL is relatively small in size, but of great importance in the functionality of your knee. It allows you to stay active and move with confidence. Though very common, modern medicine and physical therapy have some great solutions for the injury. Most people, with the right care, end up even stronger than they were before.

So you could be an athlete or just a person who likes to walk, stretch, or dance – take care of your knees. If ever you feel something is not right, do not wait. A visit to a doctor can really make all the difference.