Anterior cruciate

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (often abbreviated as ACL) is a key ligament located within the human knee. It is one of the four main ligaments in the knee that connect the femur to the tibia. The ACL is critical in stabilizing the knee joint and preventing the tibia from sliding out in front of the femur.

Anatomy

The anatomy of the ACL is complex due to its intra-articular location. The ligament is located in the center of the knee joint and runs from the posterior aspect of the femur to the anterior aspect of the tibia. It is composed of two bundles, the anteromedial and posterolateral, which function together to prevent anterior translation and rotational instability of the knee.

Function

The primary function of the ACL is to provide stability to the knee and minimize stress across the knee joint. It accomplishes this by preventing the tibia from moving too far forward under the femur. The ACL also helps to prevent excessive rotation and varus/valgus movement at the knee joint.

Injury

ACL injuries are common in sports that involve sudden changes in direction, jumping and landing, such as soccer, basketball, and skiing. These injuries often occur due to non-contact mechanisms, such as deceleration, cutting, or landing from a jump. ACL injuries are often associated with other injuries, such as meniscal tears or damage to other knee ligaments.

Treatment

Treatment for an ACL injury depends on the patient's activity level, age, and the presence of other injuries. Non-surgical treatment options include physical therapy and bracing. Surgical treatment typically involves ACL reconstruction, which is a procedure where the torn ligament is replaced with a graft.

See Also

• Knee
• Knee injury
• Knee surgery
• Orthopedics