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| WHAT IS AN ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT (ACL) SPRAIN? |
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| A sprain is a joint injury that causes a stretch or a tear in a ligament. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect one bone to another. The ACL is one of the major ligaments in the middle of the knee. It connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). The ACL, along with the posterior cruciate ligament, helps to keep the knee stable and protects the femur from sliding or turning on the tibia. |
| Sprains are graded I, II, or III depending on their severity |
| Grade I sprain - pain with minimal damage to the ligaments |
| Grade II sprain - more ligament damage and mild looseness of the joint |
| Grade III sprain - the ligament is completely torn, and the joint is very loose or unstable |
| ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT SPRAIN - SYMPTOMS |
| There is usually a loud, painful "pop" when the joint is first injured. This is often followed by swelling of the knee within the first few hours of the injury. This swelling is called an "effusion" and is made up of blood in the knee joint. |
| If you have torn your ACL in an injury that occurred months or years ago, and you have not had reconstructive surgery, you may have the feeling that the knee is giving way during twisting or pivoting movements |
| HOW AN ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT SPRAIN IS DIAGNOSED |
| Your doctor will examine your knee, and may find that it has become "loose". If there is swelling in the joint, your doctor may decide to remove the blood in your knee with a needle and syringe. Xrays may be taken to see if there is an injury to the bones in your knee. |
| An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan may also be done, and should clearly show the condition of your ACL, as well as that of other ligaments and cartilage. |
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