Spreading ACL awareness to young athletes
ACL Information Center
what exactly is an ACL?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a key ligament in your knee joint. It is made up of dense connective tissues that connect from the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin). The ACL is one of the primary stabilizers of the knee, therefore, with a torn ACL your knee becomes unstable which can lead to secondary injuries such as a meniscus tear and more. Other functions of the ACL include the prevention of the tibia from sliding in front of your femur and it provides rotational stability. Essentially your ACL controls the joint’s kinematics.
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So How do ACL injuries occur?
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ACL injuries often occur during physical activity when there is an abundant amount of stress placed on the knee.
in soccer, Common movements that can cause ACL tears include...
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quickly cutting
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landing with a straight leg after jumping (which results in a forward translation of the tibia and ultimately an ACL tear)
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stopping suddenly
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rotational stress
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coming into contact with someone through a tackle/collision (however, most ACL injuries are non-contact)
A few factors that can play a part in your risk of tearing your ACL can include...
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a lack of/poor conditioning
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the use of poor equipment
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being female due to hip-width and extra mobility in the knee (hyperextension) ​
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Females can often bend their legs past full extension, so Poor landing techniques can result in the leg bowing backwards and tearing the ACL
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Why should I care to be informed about my ACL?
It’s important to be informed About your ACL because ACL injuries are very serious and have long roads of recovery. According to Reuters, U.S. pediatricians have reported increases in ACL tears in children and teens as more pressure is placed on young athletes to perform. As young athletes, having a basic understanding of the anatomy of your knee and being proactive to prevent an ACL injury as best as you can is critical.
What happens if I tear my ACL?
​If you hurt your knee and believe it to be serious you should stop all physical activity and seek medical care. While you wait for a doctor, ice your knee, elevate it to reduce swelling, and do not put weight on it.
Once you have been assessed through a physical exam and imaging tests (X-Rays and/or MRI) doctors will be able to determine if you have torn your ACL or another ligament. (ACL tears may be partial or complete)
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After you have gone through surgery...
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recovery is about 6-12 months long
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You will have to use crutches for a set amount of time along with a full leg brace
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you will attend physical therapy about 2-3 times a week for around 6 months (or however long fits your needs best)
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During this time you should also be working on your physical therapy at home and most physical activity will be off-limits.
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Often there is intense pain and swelling of the knee joint within 24 hours of the tear. Most kids report hearing a “pop’’ sound—which is the sound of the ligament tearing.
(Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 2020)