Acl injury: symptoms, causes and treatment

Definition of an ACL injury

Injury anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) is a musculoskeletal disorder that occurs in the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee that is overstretched or even torn.

The ACL ligament is one of the main ligaments in the human knee. The function of the ACL itself is to stabilize the movement of the bones around it.

Injuries to these ligaments usually result from a sudden change in the direction of the joints in the knee. When an injury occurs, you may hear a small sound followed by pain and swelling.

Depending on the severity and how heavy the activity is, the ligament can be torn in part or even completely. The injuries that arise can be minor, with only minor tearing, or severe when all the ligaments are torn.

Generally, the treatment is carried out so that the patient can return to normal activities after the injury. However, it can take about 6 to 9 months for the patient to fully recover and carry out his daily activities.

How common are ACL injuries?

ACL injury is one type of injury that often occurs. Generally, this condition occurs in athletes who participate in high-intensity sports, such as football and basketball. Nearly 80% of cases of knee ligament injuries occur in athletes.

In addition, this condition occurs more frequently in women than men. Although the exact cause is not known, women have a 2 to 4 times chance of experiencing an injury to their knee than men.

It is suspected that these differences are related to the different body shape of women from men, for example the shape of a wider female pelvis, female muscles which tend to be more elastic, and hormonal factors that affect the elasticity of women's muscles.

This injury condition can be overcome by recognizing what the risk factors are. To find out more information about this condition, you can discuss it directly with your doctor.

ACL injury signs & symptoms

The most common signs and symptoms of an ACL injury are pain, loss of balance, and swelling of the knee. Here are the symptoms:

1. There was a loud noise when the injury occurred

When an injury occurs, you can usually hear a loud noise coming from your knee. In sports athletes such as football, this voice can sometimes even be heard by spectators on the side of the field.

Even if you don't hear a sound from your knee, you can usually feel a shift in the knee joint.

2. The knee feels unstable

The anterior ligaments in the knee are important for maintaining stability and balance of the knee joint. When an injury occurs, the joints in the knee become unstable.

This condition has the potential to cause the body to lose range of motion and feel unbalanced. The joints in the knees are also prone to damage. Usually, sudden circular movements have the potential to cause this condition.

3. Swelling and pain in the knee

A torn joint can cause swelling minutes or hours later. This is probably due to bleeding inside the knee.

After that, the swelling will be followed by pain so severe that the body cannot continue activities. However, sometimes the level of pain that varies from person to person is different, depending on the severity of the damage to the knee ligaments.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor.

Joints in muscles are the complex structures of bones, ligaments, tendons, or movement systems, and other tissues that work together. It is very important to get treatment and diagnosis early to prevent complications.

Each person's body shows different signs and symptoms. To get the most appropriate treatment and according to your health condition, always make sure to check with your doctor or the nearest health service center.

Causes of ACL injury

Injury to anterior cruciate ligaments often occurs when doing high-intensity activities or sports. In more common cases, injuries usually arise from activities that do not involve physical contact.

This means, the injury occurs due to wrong body movements. For example, you may stop moving too fast, change direction suddenly while running, or jump and land in an unnatural position. In addition, falling from a ladder can cause stretching of the knee joint and injury.

In some cases, injuries can also result from physical contact or being subjected to a very strong impact with another person. For example, when you get hit tackle while playing soccer.

ACL injuries often occur with other injuries, for example, they occur together with the tear of another part of the knee ligament and the shock-absorbing cartilage in the knee.

This type of injury is common in football, basketball, skiing, and other sports that involve a lot of strenuous movement, jumping, or running in a twist of direction.

Risk factors for ACL injury

ACL injury is a condition that can happen to anyone, regardless of age group or racial group. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing this condition.

Having one or more risk factors does not determine if you will definitely experience this condition. There is also a low chance that you may experience injury to your knee, even if you don't have any of the risk factors.

The following are risk factors that lead to injury to the ligaments or joints of the knee:

1. Gender

Women have a greater chance of injuring the knee ligaments than men. This is because the female body has a different anatomy from that of men.

The end of the female thighbone is narrower than that of the male thighbone. When the knee is moved, the narrow end of the femur can pinch and weaken the anterior ligament of the knee.

In addition, women have wider pelvis than men. This causes the femur and shinbone to meet at a certain angle that is different from that of men. This angle makes the ligaments of the knee more prone to injury when doing a rotating motion.

Genetic factors are also thought to play a role in differences in the anatomy of men and women. The muscles that women have tend to be more elastic and provide less protection to the knee ligaments. Hormonal changes during menstruation also affect this elasticity.

2. Certain sports activities

If you are an athlete in certain sports, especially those with high intensity such as soccer, futsal, basketball, skiing and gymnastics, you are more prone to injury to your knee.

3. Not warming up properly

Warming up before starting strenuous activity is something that must be done. If you don't warm up properly, or don't warm up at all, your risk of getting an ACL injury is much higher.

4. Use of shoes that are not suitable

The use of the right sports shoes also affects how the quality of your sport is. If you choose the wrong shoes, you are more prone to injury because the shoes you wear do not support your body movement properly.

5. Inadequate sports equipment

Inadequate sports equipment can also increase a person's chances of getting injured while exercising. For example, a skier who is not wearing proper equipment and is not fitted properly.

6. Weak ligaments

Some people may be born with weak ligaments. This makes his body more prone to injury, especially to the knees.

Diagnosis & treatment for ACL injuries

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the usual tests to diagnose ACL injuries?

To diagnose an injury, your doctor will examine your knee for swelling and pain.

In addition, he will also move your knees in various positions. Its purpose is to assess the range of motion and the overall function of the joint. The doctor will also compare your injured knee with your knee that is still healthy.

Not only that, your doctor may recommend several tests to find out the reason and also to determine the severity of the injury, including:

1. The Lachman test

The Lachman test is done by positioning the foot at a certain angle. First, your legs will be bent by 20-30 degrees. After that, one hand holds the thigh while the other hand moves the knee forward. With this examination, the doctor will feel for an ACL tear.

2. Drawer Test

Almost the same as the Lachman test. This test is also used to check for ACL and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries. The trick is to bend the knee to 90 degrees, then the doctor will check the integrity of the ACL by pulling it forward and PCL by pushing it back.

3. Ultrasound test

This test is performed using a sound-powered machine to produce a more detailed picture of the ligaments, joints, soft tissues, and ligaments of the ligaments.

4. MRI test

An MRI test uses strong radio and magnetic waves to produce images, both soft and hard tissue inside your body.

What are the treatment options for ACL injuries?

When you have an injury, you must immediately ask the medical team for help. According to Harvard Health Publishing, you can also perform first aid in the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Here are the steps:

• Rest: rest your body so that your knees do not bear the weight of the body.
• Ice: use an ice cube to compress your knee for 20 minutes every 2 hours.
• Compression (pressure): wrap a bandage around your knee.
• Elevate (lift), lie down and place your knees at a height above your head.

Also remember to do the following:

• Don't move your knee if you have a serious injury.
• Use a splint to keep your knee straight until you see a doctor.
• Do not return to playing or doing other activities until you have been treated.

Treatment for torn ACL consists of nonsurgical, surgical, and rehabilitation procedures. The type of procedure chosen depends on the individual patient's needs. The following is an explanation of each action:

1. Non-operation

Basically, a torn knee ligament cannot heal without surgery. However, nonsurgical procedures can be given to patients who are elderly or who rarely move.

If the stability of the knee and the body as a whole does not change significantly, the doctor will recommend this type of treatment.

• Bracing

The doctor will advise you to wear brace to keep your knee stable. You may also be given crutches to make walking easier.

• Physical therapy

If the swelling subsides, physical therapy or physiotherapy will be recommended. Certain exercises and body exercises can restore the function of your knees, as well as straighten the leg muscles that support knee movement.

2. Operation

Your doctor may recommend surgery if you are an athlete and wish to continue your work related to these sports, especially high-intensity sports with jumping, chopping or turning.

In addition, surgery is highly recommended if you have injured more than one ligament or cartilage in your knee. Operations are also aimed at people who are young and active on the move.

The operation was performed with the aim of reconstructing the ACL. First of all, the surgeon will remove the damaged ligament and replace it with a tendon from one part of your body. This network switching is called graft .

3. Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is important, whether you are undergoing surgical procedures or not. Rehabilitation therapy plays a big role in restoring bodily functions, especially your knees.

Physical therapy can help you regain the strength and movement of your knees as they were before. Rehabilitation is usually carried out for 6 to 9 months after treatment.

Generally, people who suffer from this condition and undergo surgery have a great chance of recovering. The percentage for having legs that return to normal and healthy is 92-95%.

However, in very rare cases, about 8% of patients develop permanent knee instability as a result of failed surgery.

Home remedies for ACL injuries

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies to treat an ACL injury?

To prevent ACL injuries, you must use the proper technique when exercising. Apart from that, you also need to be careful when doing your day-to-day activities and wear protection when you have to do hard work.

In addition, choose sports equipment that is suitable for the activities you are going to do. You can avoid using training shoes usual to play football or basketball.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.