Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Alternate Names : ACL Injury

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a band of fibrous tissue that provides support to the knee joint. It keeps the tibia from slipping forward on the femur. The tibia is one of the bones in the lower leg. The femur is the thighbone. An ACL injury occurs when the ligament tears.

What are the causes and risks of the injury?

In ACL injuries, the knee may be twisted or extended beyond its normal range of motion. Lack of muscle conditioning and poor coordination are risk factors. Wearing the wrong shoes for the type of athletic field, such as cleats on artificial turf, can increase the risk. Skiers whose bindings are too tight are also at risk.