What Is an Anterior Cruciate Ligament?
ACL is the anterior cruciate ligament. This ligament is found in the knee region on both the left and right knees. Anterior position refers to the forward aspect of the knee. Another ligament is seen on the posterior side, known as the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). They are made up of thick connective tissue. They are the vital ligaments in the knee. It resembles the shape of a cross, so it is named cruciate ligament. (In Latin, cruciate means cross).
What Are the Functions of Anterior Cruciate Ligament?
The anterior cruciate ligament prevents the hyperextension of the knee from moving outside its typical range of motion. It also bears the load of the knees. A posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) restricts too many posterior movements. It prevents the tibia and femur bones from sliding backward.
What Is an ACL Injury?
Any sprain or tear in the anterior cruciate ligament is known as ACL injury. It occurs during sports activities such as sudden jumping, twisting, and landing activities in basketball, football, skiing, and soccer. The tear may be accompanied by a sound.
The major causes include overextending the knee joints and trauma while playing sports.
What Are the Symptoms of ACL Injury?
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Severe swelling.
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Severe and continuous pain in the affected site.
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Inability to walk.
What Are the Different Grades of ACL Injury?
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Grade 1: In the first grade, the ligament has only mild damage. There might be mild over-stretching, but the patient can still be able to keep the joint stable.
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Grade 2: The second-grade sprain stretches the ligament so much that it becomes very loose. It will be partially torn.
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Grade 3: The third grade shows a complete tear of the ligament. The ACL ligament splits into two separate pieces. This splitting makes the knee joint highly unstable.
What Are the Different Risk Factors Associated With an ACL Injury?
There are many factors that tend to increase the risk of an ACL injury and it includes the following.
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The risk is higher in women as they have less stamina and core strength compared to men. This difference is due to the variation in physiology, muscle strength, and hormonal differences.
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Participating in intense gymnastics and sports activities.
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Poor health status.
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Wearing unsuitable footwear.
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Usage of worn-out sports equipment.
How Is ACL Injury Diagnosed?
Most of the time, it can be diagnosed by physical examination. During the physical exam, the knees will be clinically checked for pain, swelling, and tenderness.
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): An MRI scan makes use of a strong magnetic field along with radio waves to take images of both hard and soft tissues in the body. An MRI can reveal the severity of an ACL injury and detect damage to knee tissues, including cartilage.
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X-rays: It is a basic yet useful diagnostic tool. An x-ray helps to find out whether any fracture has occurred during ACL injury. It does not show any changes in soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments.
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Ultrasound Imaging: Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to detect the conditions of internal structures. All the hard and soft tissue injuries can be identified.
How to Manage ACL Injury?
As soon as the injury occurs, proper first-aid must be provided. Only then pain and swelling will reduce. It might need both home care and hospital care.
Home Remedies:
At home, a pattern of RICE is to be followed for relief.
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Rest: Giving a general rest to the body is necessary. It helps in healing the joints and also reduces the weight-bearing load on the knee.
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Ice: Apply ice packs to the knee every two hours. Applying packs for a duration of twenty minutes, especially in circular motions, will help.
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Compression: Wear a compression wrapping around the knee to restrict leg movements.
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Elevation: Keep the knees elevated on pillows by lying down.
Surgical Management:
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ACL injury requires reconstruction surgery in severe cases. Anesthesia will be administered to the patient prior to the procedure. It can replace the entire cruciate ligament of the knees.
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The surgery will help the patient to replace the damaged ligament with a segment of a tendon.
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This process of replacement with another tissue is known as graft. After the completion of the surgery, the patient can be discharged as per the doctor’s advice.
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The patient might need the help of crutches to practice walking. A splint or knee brace can be used to protect the knee.
Medications:
Medications are prescribed to relieve pain. Patients are recommended to use over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, and Naproxen sodium.
How ACL Injury Can Be Prevented?
An ACL injury can happen to anyone irrespective of their age and gender. With proper preventive measures, one can keep themselves away from such injuries.
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Understand the Body First :
Awareness of the body and knowing the condition of the muscle is essential in preventing ACL tears. Properly warming up the body and doing stretching exercises before every workout, is necessary to keep the knees engaged in a balanced manner. Proper body positioning should be understood through proper education. Please avoid overusing them as it might lead to knee pain and weakness.
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Protect the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Posterior Cruciate Ligaments:
Healthy nutrition and proper hydration of the body are essential factors to be considered in keeping ligaments healthy and strong. Eating lots of green leafy vegetables and a wide range of fruits, dry fruits, nuts, and legumes will keep the ligaments intact. When adequate quantities of protein, calcium, and other nutrients are supplemented to the body, most injuries can be restricted. Diet, exercise, and nutrition are the ideal things to keep physical fitness well. Diet and nutrition are some of the most overlooked aspects of injury prevention.
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Increase Strength and Flexibility of Muscles:
The ability of the anterior cruciate ligament to perform athletic activities without injury depends on the degree of strength, health, and flexibility of the supporting group of muscles. The hamstrings are the first and foremost muscle to be empowered. The entire group of muscles should be involved in a given movement. Working to improve balance, core strength, agility, and flexibility will help in maintaining proper control of the body. It eliminates the need for compensatory movements, which is the prime cause of injury.
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Reduce the Impact of the Force on the Knee:
Older adults and patients with previous injuries, perform exercises to reduce the weight so that it decreases the impact of force on the knees.
Conclusion
The knee joint is a complex structure comprising bones, ligaments, tendons, and other tissues that function together. Injuries can significantly impact one's quality of life. Proper diagnosis is important to assess the severity of the injury. Athletes should be aware of specific injuries like anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, know basic first aid steps, and understand preventive measures.
