Rupture of the ACL
A tear in the anterior cruciate ligament is a serious injury that has the greatest impact on the function and long-term health of the knee of any other injury.
It is common for other injuries to occur in the knee, such as tears of the medial meniscus or the medial collateral ligament.
If you have torn your anterior cruciate ligament, you may need surgery to regain full function of your knee. This will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of your injury and your activity level.
What is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament?
The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the four major ligaments of the knee and is one of the most important stabilizing mechanisms of the knee joint, connecting the lower end of the thigh to the upper end of the tibia. Its loss is accompanied by instability of the knee, particularly during sporting activities.
What are the causes of a ruptured ACL?
The mechanisms of injury due to anterior and posterior tear differ. In particular, anterior cruciate ligament rupture is usually the result of a sudden change of direction during sporting activity or turning on a bent knee. Also, a bad landing on a bent knee may be responsible for causing it.
On the other hand, a ruptured posterior cruciate ligament is caused by applying strong force to the knee while it is bent (e.g. a car accident). In addition, a posterior cruciate ligament tear can also be caused by the patient falling from a great height with the leg extended.
The rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament is noticed by the patient at the moment of injury, as a muffled sound is heard. The patient then develops the following symptoms:
- severe pain
- Painful pain, painful pain, pain in the knee
- Stiffness
- The onset of swelling
- Bloodstain
On the other hand, a ruptured posterior cruciate ligament includes symptoms such as:
- Acute pain in the back of the knee
- Swelling
- Difficulty in bending and extending the joint
- Knee instability
Gradually the above symptoms subside, except for the instability and stiffness. Thus, because of these symptoms, the patient seeks medical help.
When is surgical repair required in anterior cruciate ligament rupture?
Surgical repair for anterior cruciate ligament tear depends on the extent of the damage and how much it affects your quality of life.
If you do not feel your knee unstable and your lifestyle is not particularly active, you may choose to avoid surgical repair for anterior cruciate ligament tear.
However, it should be emphasized that delaying surgical repair increases the likelihood of further damage to the injured knee.