Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

Patients often feel a sensation or hear a "pop" sound when the injury occurs. Sharp pain and swelling of the knee usually follows and it may be too painful to bear weight on it. Subsequently, patients often complain of an unstable knee that gives ​way during pivoting or cutting action.​

ACL injuries ​often occur during sporting and fitness activities that put stress on the knee, such as pivoting cutting, landing awkwardly, stopping suddenly or receiving a direct blow to the knee.

You are at higher risk of developing this injury if you are female due to hormonal differences and the biomechanics of a woman's body. You may also be more likely to sustain this injury if you play certain types of sports such as soccer, football, basketball, gymnastics or downhill skiing.

Other risk factors include poor conditioning, poor knee movements, wearing poor footwear or using poorly maintained sports equipment.