Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

 Three bones meet to form the knee. They are connected with each other by ligaments, there are four primary ligaments in your knee. There are collateral ligaments and cruciate ligaments.

It is one of the most common injuries in the knee.

Athletes who participate in high demand sports like soccer, footbal or basketball are likely to suffer it.

About a half of all injuries suffered in the anterior cruciate ligament occur along a damage to other structures in the knee, such as articular cartilage, meniscus or other ligaments.

Injured ligaments are considered sprains and they are graded depending on their severity:

  • Grade 1 Sprains: The ligament is midly damaged.
  • Grade 2 Sprains: It stretches the ligament to the point where it becomes loose.
  • Grade 3 Sprains: It is commonly referred to as a complete tear of the ligament.
There are different causes:

  • Suddenly slowing down and changing direction (cutting).
  • Pivoting with your foot firmly planted.
  • Landing awkwardly from a jump.
  • Stopping suddenly.
  • Receiving a direct blow to the knee or having a collision, such as football tackle.
Signs or symptoms from an anterior cruciate ligament injury usually include:

  • A loud "pop" or a pooping sensation in the knee.
  • Severe pain and inability to continue activity.
  • Rapid swelling.
  • Loss of range of motion.
  • A feeling of instablility or "giving away" with weight bearing.
To prevent it is important to do exercises that strenghten core and leg muscles (particurarly hamstring exercises); and training a proper technique and knee position.

If any knee injury causes ACL injuries symptoms you must go to see a doctor as fast as you can. It is important to get a prompt and accurate diagnosis to determine the severity of the injury and get proper treatment.




Links:
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/anterior-cruciate-ligament-acl-injuries/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acl-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20350738


Comentarios

Publicar un comentario

Entradas populares de este blog

Plantar fasciitis

Imagen
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of each foot and connects the heel bone to the toes, known as plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis causes stabbing pain. This pain normally decreases when you start to walk. It is common in overweight people and runners. Symptoms: It causes stabbing pain in the bottom of your foot near the heel. It can be triggered by long periods of standing or when you get up from sitting. Causes: The plantar fascia supports the arch of the foot and absorbs shock when walking. Tension and stress on the fascia can cause small tears. This repetitive act can irritate or inflame it. But there are some unclear causes of plantar fasciitis. Risk factors Age: Plantar fasciitis is common in people between the ages of 40 and 60. Certain types of exercise: Activities that place a lot of stress on your heel and attached tissue (long distance running, ballet, ...
Leer más

Back problems

Imagen
Lower back pain, sometimes called lumbago, is not a specific disease diagnosis. It’s a symptom of several different types of medical problems. It usually results from a problem with one or more parts of the lower back, such as: ligaments and muscles discs invertebral discs nerves the bony structures that make up the spine, called vertebral bodies or vertebrae It can also be due to a problem with nearby organs, such as the kidneys. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 75 to 80 percent of Americans will experience back pain in their lifetime. Of those, 50 percent will have more than one episode within a year. In 90 percent of all cases, the pain gets better without surgery. Talk with a doctor if you’re experiencing back pain. Strained muscles often cause back pain. Strain commonly occurs with incorrect lifting of heavy objects and sudden awkward movements. Strain can also result from overactivity. An example is the sore feeling and stiffness that occurs af...
Leer más

Muscular fatigue

Imagen
You can develop muscle fatigue after exercise, but you can also develop it due to some medications or health conditions like anemia, dehydration, depression, and hepatitis C, among others. At the start of exercising or when performing tasks, your muscles feel strong and resilient. However, over time and after repeating movements, your muscles may begin to feel weaker and tired. It decreases your muscles’ ability to perform over time. It can be associated with a state of exhaustion. When you experience fatigue, the force behind your muscles’ movements decrease, causing you to feel weaker. Causes: Age Anemia Lack of exercise Medications Pregnancy Anxiety Symptoms: Soreness Localized pain Shortness of breath Muscle twitching Trembling A weak grip Muscle cramps Treatment: If you’ve been experiencing muscle fatigue, especially if it’s unrelated to exercise, call your doctor. Your doctor will evaluate your medical history and symptoms to rule out more serious health conditions. In ...
Leer más