The ACL acts with the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) to stabilize the knee from the back and the front. The ACL is located anteriorly (or in the front of the knee) and connects the femur to the tibia. All four ligaments work together to assist in stabilizing and supporting the knee- the largest and most complex joint in the body. The ACL, which stands for Anterior Cruciate Ligament, is one of the four ligaments located in the knee. Ligaments are thick bands of tissue that connect bones. Although many people have heard about ACL injuries, most don't understand the exact function and significance of the ACL. Therefore, it is no surprise that we often hear of athletes who must spend up to a year on the sidelines due to a ruptured ACL.
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The principal symptom of an ACL injury is rotational instability. But if the ligament is completely ruptured, that’s another story, possibly requiring reconstructive surgery to restore normal function. One can overcome the discomfort and instability of a partial tear with systematic and focused rehabilitation of the musculature surrounding the knee. While both ACL and PCL tears can be painful initially, the real problem is the lingering instability of the knee joint.
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PCL tears typically occur when there is a direct blow to the front of the tibia, or when the knee hyperextends from an awkward landing. The PCL, on the other hand, does the opposite, preventing the tibia from sliding backwards relative to the femur. This explains why most ACL tears occur without contact. The reason is that those sports require athletes to decelerate quickly and perform twisting maneuvers and the ACL ligament is designed to resist abnormal forward movement of the tibia (shinbone) relative to the femur (thighbone) and rotational forces.
![acl vs mcl acl vs mcl](https://westcoastorthopedics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/ligament-knee.jpeg)
So, when the ACL or PCL are torn, it can be not only painful but also temporarily debilitating.īesides the fact that the ACL is located in the front of the knee and the PCL is located in the back, there are key differences between an ACL tear and a PCL tear that are worth noting.Īlthough knee injuries can occur as a result of any physical trauma, those who play high-intensity sports like football, basketball, or soccer are the most likely to sustain an ACL tear. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are two of its most important components. That’s because the knee is the largest joint and also one of the most complicated in your body – enabling you to flex, bend and rotate your legs. Knee injuries are among the most common sports and general orthopedic injuries – and the most likely to keep you on the sidelines for an extended period of time.