ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT TEARAN ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT OF ACL TEAR IS A TEAR TO ONE OF THE FOUR MAJOR LIGAMENTS IN THE KNEE. ACL TEARS ARE A RESULT OF EXCESSIVE MOTION. THESE ARE MOST OFTEN SPORTS RELATED, BUT CAN ALSO BE A RESULT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT, OR FALL.
SYMPTOMS OF AN ACL TEAR INCLUDE A FEELING OF THE KNEE GIVING OUT, A "POP" IN THE KNEE, PAIN, AND SWELLING. ON PHYSICAL EXAMINATION THE PHYSICIAN WILL NOTICE AN INSTABILITY OF THE KNEE JOINT. A MRI IS THE STANDARD TEST TO DIAGNOSE AN ACL TEAR.
IF THERE IS A COMPLETE TEAR OF THE ACL, SURGERY IS RECOMMENDED. A TORN ACL CAN NOT BE REPAIRED, SO ANOTHER TENDON OR LIGAMENT FROM EITHER A DONOR CADAVER, OR TAKEN FROM THE PATIENT IS GRAFTED TO REPLACE THE ACL.
