Knee Injuries – ACL Injuries: Risks & Symptoms

Of all the joints in the human body, the knee is the most commonly injured. The entire weight of the body is transferred to the foot through the knee. It is also the joint between the two longest bones of the body. The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is one of four major knee ligaments. The ACL’s job is to prevent excessive motion of the knee joint. Patients who have an ACL injury often complain of their knee “giving out”.

Risk Factors
Athletes who participate in high demand sports such as football, basketball and soccer are more likely to have ACL injuries. ACL tears can also occur in rough play, motor vehicle collisions, work-related injuries and falls. Although the reasons are unknown, women are more likely to sustain an ACL injury than men. Of the sport-related ACL injuries, about 80% are non-contact injuries. Pivoting or landing from a jump are the leading causes of ACL injuries. If the knee gives out or buckles, it is likely the ACL is torn.

Symptoms
Patients who have an ACL tear frequently report hearing a “popping” sound in their knee at the time of the injury. They may also have the knee give out at that time. Other symptoms include:

• Pain with swelling within 24 hours
• Loss of range of motion
• Tenderness in and around the joint
• Discomfort while walking

Diagnosis & Treatment
The main course of treatment for an ACL injury is a physical assessment by a physician. Most ligament injuries can be diagnosed through this physical examination and the medical history of the patient. The injured knee is often compared to the healthy knee to compare and contrast the structures. While they do not provide any information regarding ACL injuries, x-rays are often taken to determine whether there may be a broken bone associated with the injury. Finally, an MRI scan, which captures images of soft tissue like the ACL, may be used to see if there is a tear to the ligament, but is normally not required for diagnosis.

There are several methods for treating ACL injuries which are dependent on the patient, their lifestyle and the severity of the injury. The treatment for an athlete in an active sport such as tennis might be completely different from an older patient who is content to return to a less-active daily routine. Nonsurgical treatments may involve patient rest, restraint from the activity that caused the injury or even the use of a brace to protect the knee from instability.

Surgical treatment for an ACL injury is called an ACL reconstruction. Most ACL tears cannot be sutured back together and require a ligament reconstruction. This reconstruction is done by replacing the torn ligament with a tissue graft. The graft allows a place for the new ligament to grow on.

Grafts can be obtained from several sources such as the patellar tendon, the hamstring tendons or even a cadaver graft. There are many advantages and disadvantages to using each type of graft and these should be thoroughly discussed with a physician to determine which type is best for a particular patient.

Risks of ACL surgery include infection, pain, continued instability, stiffness and inability to return to the level of activity sustained prior to the injury. One of the most important aspects of healing following surgery is rehabilitation. Rehabilitation therapies focus on regaining strength and motion as well as improving stability of the joint. These therapies are extremely important for the success of the surgery, however, they are often neglected or performed incorrectly. It is critical that the patient utilize their physician and therapist in order to guide the rehabilitation.

If you or your loved one suffering from a knee injury caused by someone else’s negligence are sure to have questions and find answers to many of your most pressing concerns on this website. Also use our “just ask” section to submit a question in writing or you can go to our live chat for an immediate dialogue. More information can also be obtained by download one of our helpful FREE books, including “10 Essential Steps You Must Take to Protect Your Personal Injury Claim.”

For more information you may contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys at (816) 471-5111. Our law firm has more than 15 years of experience representing those with serious injury claims, including many knee injury claims, and we will be happy to answer any questions with a FREE initial consultation

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