The ACL is a ligament that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. An ACL tear refers to an injury to this ligament.

Grade 1 – Overstretched ACL
Grade2 – The fibers of the ACL are partially torn
Grade 3 – The fibers of the ACL are completely torn

• Contact injury – Athletes who play contact sports like football and basketball are particularly vulnerable to contact injuries. These athletes are at a higher risk if they apply more pressure on the joint on a daily basis.
• Impact injury – This type of injury is the most common cause of an ACL tear. It includes falls or twists or accidents that involve the knee. The severity of the injury will determine the extent of the tear.
• Unstable movement of the joint – A sudden pivot or an awkward movement of the knee could also cause injury to the ACL. Usually, these types of injuries cause minimal damage to the ligament.

The complications of an ACL tear depend heavily on the extent and severity of the injury, other injuries to the joint, and level of physical activity after recovery. ACL tear complications include a high risk of osteoarthritis developing in the joint. Even if the injury has a clean and full recovery, the risk remains high.

If a patient suspects that they have an ACL tear they must immediately administer first aid and seek medical help. If there are no external injuries, then the patient must use the RICE method to alleviate pain and swelling. The joint must be rested with an elastic band to secure the knee. It must also be regularly iced and kept at an elevated position to prevent the pooling of blood.

 An orthopedic surgeon might recommend surgery to repair the ACL if the injury is particularly severe with a complete tear. The surgery involves the removal of the damaged ligament fibers that are then replaced with a graft from a tendon. A tendon is a type of tissue that connects bones to muscles. The replacement tendon or graft is taken from the patient’s knee or from a donor. After the surgery, the patient will require extensive physical therapy in order to regain full motion of the joint. Unfortunately, there isn’t a set time frame for the recovery period. It entirely depends on the extent of the damage and the level of physical fitness of the patient.

The main way to ensure that an ACL tear does not occur is to build up the strength of the surrounding muscles. Certain exercises can help with this. Apart from the muscles around the knee, the core must also be strengthened which prevents undue strain on the joint. Patients must be aware of their movements and avoid awkward or twisting movements.

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