Anterior cruciate ligament injury

Topic

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury occurs when the ACL in the knee is stretched, partially torn, or completely torn, with a complete tear being the most common presentation. Symptoms typically include sudden pain, an audible popping or cracking sound, knee instability, and rapid joint swelling. These injuries frequently occur during sports involving sudden stops or changes in direction, and often involve damage to other knee structures like the meniscus or surrounding ligaments.