How Do ACL Injuries Occur?

Have an ACL injury? Physical activity is essential for good health, but sometimes, people injure themselves when they play sports. The ACL is a ligament that connects your thighbone to your shinbone. An ACL injury is a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the knee. Symptoms include knee pain, swelling, and instability. ACL injuries are treatable by medical professionals. Northern Virginia Orthopaedic Specialists in Haymarket, VA, and Manassas, VA, offers treatments for ACL injuries. Read on to find out how ACL injuries occur.

1. High-Impact Sports

ACL injuries tend to occur more often in individuals who play high-impact sports. High impact sports are activities or sports characterized by intense and/or frequent wear and trauma of weight-bearing joints—knee, hip, feet. Some examples of high-impact sports are basketball, football, baseball, karate, hockey, racquetball, soccer, and running.

2. Stopping Suddenly

Athletes who stop suddenly in the course of rapid motion are prone to torn ACLs. This sudden force can tear the ligament, causing intense pain. Most ACL injuries do not involve a direct impact or trauma but are due to a sudden stop or change of direction while playing basketball, tennis, football, or soccer.

3. Pivoting or Cutting

Most ACL injuries are non-contact injuries that involve rapid deceleration, such as pivoting, cutting, or landing on one leg. They commonly occur in sports such as soccer, basketball, football, skiing, volleyball, tennis, and lacrosse. Women tear their ACL more often than men. This is most likely due to different anatomy.

4. Previous ACL Injuries

Previous ACL injuries increase the chance of the injury recurring. A torn ACL may heal, but there will likely be residual effects. So, individuals who have experienced ACL injuries are predisposed to future injuries. But, strengthening your core will go a long way in lowering the risk of ACL injuries.

5. Direct Impact from a Hit

It is not uncommon for athletes or middle-aged people involved in physical activities to overstretch or tear the tendons. ACL injuries from contact usually occur from a direct blow to the knee when it is bent slightly inward or hyper-extended. For example, a football player may suffer an ACL injury after another player strikes the outside of his leg while his foot is planted.

An ACL injury can affect your daily activities and make your life miserable. If you have an ACL injury, call Northern Virginia Orthopaedic Specialists at 703-369-9070 to schedule an appointment at our Manassas, VA, or Haymarket, VA, offices. Our state-of-the-art treatments will relieve your pain and help you get back to a happy and healthy life!