ACL (ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT) INJURY

ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Injury

ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Injury

Introduction

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle (analogous to the knee), based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.

In words of Kuhn and Ross (2007) the ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur. Its proximal fibers fan out along the medial wall of the lateral femoral condyle. There are two bundles of the ACL—the anteromedial and the posterolateral, named according to where the bundles insert into the tibial plateau. The ACL attaches in front of the intercondyloid eminence of the tibia, being blended with the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. These attachments allow it to resist anterior translation of the tibia, in relation to the femur. This paper discusses ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injury in a concise and comprehensive way.

ACL: A Thorough Description of Normal Function Of the Knee And How It Is Altered By the Injury

Because the knee joint is both vulnerable and used extensively in many activities, it is prone to injuries. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimates that 19.5 million visits to doctors' offices in 2002 were for knee problems. In some sports including football, skiing, and gymnastics, and racket sports, injury rates to avid practitioners can near 50 percent, and knee injuries are the most common reason patients visit orthopedic doctors. An estimated one in five runners gets a knee injury. The majority of knee injuries, however, are minor and do not require intensive treatment.

The knee, the largest joint in the body, connects the thighbone (femur) to the lower leg (tibia). It is a complex and efficient joint consisting of ligaments, cartilage, and the bone of the kneecap (patella). All of these parts can be injured. Inside the knee joint is synovial fluid that protects and lubricates the parts, which during injuries may increase and cause swelling. The bursa are sacs in the knee that contain synovial fluid and provide cushioning and lubrication.

Four ligaments comprise the knee joint. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) runs along the inside of the knee, while the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is on the outside of the knee. The cruciate ligaments cross inside the knee. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is deep inside the knee and limits rotation of the joint. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is also inside the knee and limits the backward movement of the joint. Ligaments in the knee can be partially or completely torn, depending on the extent of the injury (Kuhn and Ross, 2007).

A tear of the anterior cruciate is often associated with a meniscal or a collateral ligament tear. These injuries occur most often in athletics, but accidents or work injuries may also disrupt the cruciate if the mechanism of injury is similar. The injury may simply occur with a sudden change in direction while running, or with hyperextension of the ...