Cruciate ligament injury - anterior; ACL injury; Knee injury - anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

Early symptoms:

• A "popping" sound at the time of injury
• Knee swelling within 6 hours of injury
• Pain, especially when you try to put weight on the injured leg

Those who have only a mild injury may notice that the knee feels unstable or seems to "give way" when using it.

Images

ACL injury

Arthroscopy

ACL degrees

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury

Normal knee anatomy

Review Date: 08/26/2009
Reviewed By: Dennis Ogiela, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, Danbury Hospital, Danbury, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)