Anterior cruciate ligament injury

When an individual has an ACL injury, they are likely to hear a "pop" in their knee followed by pain and swelling. They may also experience instability in the knee once they resume walking and other activities, as the ligament can no longer stabilize the knee joint and keep the tibia from sliding forward. Reduced range of motion of the knee and tenderness along the joint line are also common signs of an acute ACL injury. The pain and swelling may resolve on its own; however, the knee will remain unstable and returning to sport without treatment may result in further damage to the knee. == Causes ==

Tearing occurs when the tibia moves too far forwards or the femur moves too far backwards. Causes may include: • Changing direction rapidly (also known as "cutting") • Landing from a jump awkwardly • Coming to a sudden stop when running • A direct contact or collision to the knee (e.g. during a football tackle or a motor vehicle collision) Risk factors include female anatomy, specific sports, poor conditioning, fatigue, and playing on a turf field. Female predominance Female athletes are two to eight times more likely to strain their ACL in sports that involve cutting and jumping as compared to men who play the same particular sports. NCAA data has found relative rates of injury per 1000 athlete exposures as follows: Differences between males and females identified as potential causes are the active muscular protection of the knee joint, differences in leg/pelvis alignment, and relative ligament laxity caused by differences in hormonal activity from estrogen and relaxin. Birth control pills also appear to decrease the risk of ACL injury. Dominance theories through the center of the patella and a line drawn from the center of the patella to the center of the tibial tubercle Some studies have suggested that there are four neuromuscular imbalances that predispose women to higher incidence of ACL injury. Female athletes are more likely to jump and land with their knees relatively straight and collapsing in towards each other, while most of their bodyweight falls on a single foot and their upper body tilts to one side. Several theories have been described to further explain these imbalances. These include the ligament dominance, quadriceps dominance, leg dominance, and trunk dominance theories. Finally, trunk dominance suggests that males typically exhibit greater control of the trunk in performance situations as evidenced by greater activation of the internal oblique muscle. Hormonal and anatomic differences Before puberty, there is no observed difference in frequency of ACL tears between the sexes. Changes in sex hormone levels, specifically elevated levels of estrogen and relaxin in females during the menstrual cycle, have been hypothesized as causing predisposition of ACL ruptures. This is because they may increase joint laxity and extensibility of the soft tissues surrounding the knee joint. Study results have shown that female collegiate athletes with concentration levels of relaxin that are greater than 6.0 pg/mL are at four times higher risk of an ACL tear than those with lower concentrations. Relaxin is increased when estrogen levels are increased during the female menstrual cycle. Estrogen is at its peak just before ovulation, which makes it fall into the follicular phase of the mensural cycle. These hormonal rises often fall within a 2-3 day period of an increase in knee laxity. These times of increased estrogen concentration are subsequently related to times of reduced tendon strength and stability. Additionally, the use of hormonal medication such as birth control may fluctuate the window and level of laxity which should be monitored. The NHI, found that the use of hormonal oral contraceptives reduced the risk of tearing by 68%. Moreover, women are more likely to face an ACL tear or injury when they are experiencing elevated levels of estrogen or progesterone. During these times, females don't necessarily need to limit their activity levels out of fear or precaution but it is beneficial if they participate in the proper warm-ups or strengthening exercises to limit potential risks. Additionally, female pelvises widen during puberty through the influence of sex hormones. This wider pelvis requires the femur to angle toward the knees. This angle towards the knee is referred to as the Q angle. The average Q angle for men is 14 degrees and the average for women is 17 degrees. Steps can be taken to reduce this Q angle, such as using orthotics. The relatively wider female hip and widened Q angle may lead to an increased likelihood of ACL tears in women. ACL, muscular stiffness, and strength During puberty, sex hormones also affect the remodeled shape of soft tissues throughout the body. The tissue remodeling results in female ACLs that are smaller and will fail (i.e. tear) at lower loading forces, and differences in ligament and muscular stiffness between men and women. Women's knees are less stiff than men's during muscle activation. Force applied to a less stiff knee is more likely to result in tears. In addition, the quadriceps femoris muscle is an antagonist to the ACL. According to a study undertaken on female athletes at the University of Michigan, 31% of female athletes recruited the quadriceps femoris muscle first as compared to 17% in males. Because of the elevated contraction of the quadriceps femoris muscle during physical activity, an increased strain is placed onto the ACL due to the "tibial translation anteriorly". ==Pathophysiology==

The knee joint is formed by three bones: the femur (thighbone), the tibia (shinbone), and the patella (kneecap). These bones are held together by ligaments, which are strong bands of tissue that keep the joint stable while an individual is walking, running, jumping, etc. There are two types of ligaments in the knee: the collateral ligaments and the cruciate ligaments. The collateral ligaments include the medial collateral ligament (along the inside of the knee) and the lateral or fibular collateral ligament (along the outside of the knee). These two ligaments function to limit sideways movement of the knee. The cruciate ligaments form an "X" inside the knee joint with the anterior cruciate ligament running from the front of the tibia to the back of the femur, and the posterior cruciate ligament running from the back of the tibia to the front of the femur. The anterior cruciate ligament prevents the tibia from sliding out in front of the femur and provides rotational stability. There are also two C-shaped structures made of cartilage called the medial meniscus and lateral meniscus that sit on top of the tibia in the knee joint and serve as cushion for the bones.  ==Diagnosis==

Manual tests Most ACL injuries can be diagnosed by examining the knee and comparing it to the other, non-injured knee. When a doctor suspects ACL injury in a person who reports a popping sound in the knee followed by swelling, pain, and instability of the knee joint, they can perform several tests to evaluate the damage to the knee. These tests include the pivot-shift test, anterior drawer test, and Lachman test. The pivot-shift test involves flexing the knee while holding onto the ankle and slightly rotating the tibia inwards. In the anterior drawer test, the examiner flexes the knees to 90 degrees, sits on the person's feet, and gently pulls the tibia towards themself. The Lachman test is performed by placing one hand on the person's thigh and the other on the tibia and pulling the tibia forward. These tests are meant to test whether the ACL is intact and therefore able to limit the forward motion of the tibia. The Lachman test is recognized by most authorities as the most reliable and sensitive of the three. Technological innovations like stop-action photography, force platforms, and programmable computers have propelled biomechanics into a key research area within the human sciences. Advances in motion capture, musculoskeletal modeling, and human simulation have deepened our understanding of the mechanical causes of musculoskeletal injuries and diseases. However, measuring force at joint, muscle, tendon, and articular surfaces, especially in the knee, is complex and relies heavily on intricate modeling of motion capture and medical imaging data. This complexity has limited the involvement of biomechanists in designing, implementing, and evaluating prophylactic training interventions and neuromuscular rehabilitation programs. Medical imaging Though clinical examination in experienced hands can be accurate, the diagnosis is usually confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging, which provides images of the soft tissues like ligaments and cartilage around the knee. An x-ray may be performed in addition to evaluate whether one of the bones in the knee joint was broken during the injury. MRI is particularly useful in cases of partial tear of the ACL. The anteromedial band is most commonly injured compared to the posterolateral band. Arthrometers/Laximeters Another form of evaluation that may be used in case physical examination and MRI are inconclusive is laximetry testing (i.e. arthrometry and stress imaging), which involve applying a force to the leg and quantifying the resulting displacement of the knee. These medical devices basically replicate manual tests but offer objective assessments. The GNRB arthrometer, for example, is a knee arthrometer that is considered more effective than the Lachman test. Classification An injury to a ligament is called a sprain. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons defines ACL injury in terms of severity and classifies them as Grade 1, 2, or 3 sprains. ==Prevention==

Interest in reducing non-contact ACL injury has been intense. The International Olympic Committee, after a comprehensive review of preventive strategies, has stated that injury prevention programs have a measurable effect on reducing injuries. These programs are especially important in female athletes who bear higher incidence of ACL injury than male athletes, and also in children and adolescents who are at high risk for a second ACL tear. Researchers have found that female athletes often land with the knees relatively straight and collapsing inwards towards each other, with most of their bodyweight on a single foot and their upper body tilting to one side; these four factors put excessive strain on the ligaments on the knee and thus increase the likelihood of ACL tear. There is evidence that engaging in neuromuscular training (NMT), which focus on hamstring strengthening, balance, and overall stability to reduce risk of injury by enhancing movement patterns during high risk movements. Such programs are beneficial for all athletes, particularly adolescent female athletes. Injury prevention programs (IPPs), are reliable in reducing the risk factors of ACL inquiries, referring to dominance theories. The ligament dominance theory reduced peak knee abduction moment but should be more focused on prioritizing individualized, task-specific exercises focusing on an athlete's risk profile. It is more beneficial than a generic program. There is an increase in hip and knee flexion angles, such as plyometrics and jump-landing tasks, which reduces the risk of quadriceps dominance. However, there were no changes found for peak vGRF (vertical ground reaction force), which measures for "softer" landings. Unfortunately, there was no conclusive data on how IPPs reduces the risk associated with leg dominance theory. ==Treatment==

Treatment for ACL tears is important to: • Reduce abnormal knee movements and improve knee function • Build trust and confidence to use the knee normally again • Prevent further injury to the knee and reduce the risk of osteoarthritis • Optimise long-term quality of life following the injury Nonsurgical Nonsurgical treatment for ACL rupture involves progressive, structured rehabilitation that aims to restore muscle strength, dynamic knee control and psychological confidence. A living systematic review with meta-analysis, updated in 2022, showed on the basis of three randomized controlled trials that primary rehabilitation with optional surgical reconstruction produces outcomes similar to early surgical reconstruction. In some cases the ACL may heal without surgery during the rehabilitation process—the torn pieces re-unite to form a functional ligament. While modalities such as low-level laser therapy may help reduce pain following an ACL injury, evidence suggests they should not be used as a primary treatment. Functional recovery is best achieved through structured rehabilitation programs, with adjunct therapies like laser treatment used primarily for pain management. The purpose of exercise treatment is to restore the normal functioning of the muscular and balance system around the knee. Research has demonstrated that by training the muscles around the knee appropriately through exercise treatment, the body can 'learn' to control the knee again, and despite extra movement inside the knee, the knee can feel strong and able to withstand force. Evidence suggests that not all ACL injuries require surgery, as some patients can have good outcomes with structured, progressive physical therapy. Conservative management may also include patient education on avoiding instability and the use of hinged knee braces to support knee function during rehabilitation. Typically, this approach involves visiting a physical therapist or sports medicine professional soon after injury to oversee an intensive, structured program of exercises. Other treatments may be used initially, such as hands-on therapies in order to reduce pain. The physiotherapist will act as a coach through rehabilitation, usually by setting goals for recovery and giving feedback on progress. Non-surgical recovery typically takes three to six months, and depends on the extent of the original injury, pre-existing fitness and commitment to the rehabilitation and sporting goals. Some patients may not be satisfied with the outcome of non-surgical management, and opt for surgery later. Surgery ACL reconstruction surgery involves replacing the torn ACL with a "graft," which is a tendon taken from another source. Grafts can be taken from the patellar tendon, hamstring tendon, quadriceps tendon from either the person undergoing the procedure ("autograft") or a cadaver ("allograft"). Of the three different kinds of autografts, quadriceps tendon grafts have shown to produce less pain at the site of the harvest when compared to patellar tendon and hamstring tendon grafts. Quadriceps tendon grafts have also been shown to produce better results when it comes to knee stability and function. The surgery is done with an arthroscope or tiny camera inserted inside the knee, with additional small incisions made around the knee to insert surgical instruments. This method is less invasive and is proven to result in less pain from surgery, less time in the hospital, and quicker recovery times than "open" surgery (in which a long incision is made down the front of the knee and the joint is opened and exposed). The outcomes 3-6+ months out are still inconclusive. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons has stated that there is moderate evidence to support the guideline that ACL reconstruction should occur within five months of injury in order to improve a person's function and protect the knee from further injury; however, additional studies need to be done to determine the best time for surgery and to better understand the effect of timing on clinical outcomes. However, delaying ACL reconstruction in pediatric and adolescent populations for more than 3 months has been shown to increase the risk or meniscus injuries significantly. There are over 100,000 ACL reconstruction surgeries per year in the United States. Over 95% of ACL reconstructions are performed in the outpatient setting. The most common procedures performed during ACL reconstruction are partial meniscectomy and chondroplasty. Asymmetry in the repaired knee is a possibility and has been found to have a large effect between limbs for peak vertical ground reaction force, peak knee-extension moment, and loading rate during double-limb landings, as well as mean knee-extension moment and knee energy absorption during both double- and single-limb landings. Analysis of joint symmetry along with movement patterns should be a part of return to sports criteria. Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, and a question from the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score quality of life subscale. Results showed that nine athletes sustained a second ACL injury Athletes who experienced a second ACL injury had higher scores on the ACL-RSI and on the risk appraisal questions of the ACL-RSI, and they met RTS criteria sooner than athletes who did not sustain a second ACL injury. After reading, all second ACL injuries occurred in athletes who underwent primary ACL with hamstring tendon autografts. Rehabilitation The goals of rehabilitation following an ACL injury are to regain knee strength and motion. If an individual with an ACL injury undergoes surgery, the rehabilitation process will first focus on slowly increasing the range of motion of the joint, then on strengthening the surrounding muscles to protect the new ligament and stabilize the knee. Finally, functional training specific to the activities required for certain sports is begun. Delaying return to sport is recommended for at least a minimum of nine months, as retear rates become 7x more likely for those returning prior to 9 months. Additionally, it takes around 2 years for the ACL to mature; however, it is unrealistic to expect athletes to wait two years to return to sports. Another factor to consider is that 30% of retear rates occur within the first 30 athletic exposures and 50% within the first 72 athletic exposures. Lastly, a patient reduces their likelihood of a retear with each month they delay return to sport after the 9 month mark. In the pediatric setting, re-ruptures of the ACL post surgically are prevalent, 94.6% of which require a revision surgery. Without proper rehabilitation, growth or angular deformities can occur, also requiring a revision surgery. Patients need to ensure their physical therapist is experienced with treating ACL patients as many therapists can set their patients up for failure. More than half of physical therapists still utilize manual muscle testing techniques to measure leg strength for return to sports which is subjective and not reliable data. In addition, there is no agreed upon criteria for return to sport however there are considerations a therapist should make before clearing their patient. Patients should be put through battery of tests throughout their rehab to ensure their prepared for the demands of their sport. The tests should include a psychological component, plyometric testing, strength symmetry between both lower limbs, and different functional movement assessments that relate to the patients sport. There are numerous guidelines regarding ACL rehabilitation recommendations and interventions. A Guideline Development Group (GDG), composed of impartial clinical and methodology experts, was formed and tasked with converting evidence into recommendations. Each member graded proposed recommendations anonymously, and the evidence that produced a high-percentage agreement were published. Post-operative Strategies: In 2022, a systematic review was conducted on ACL rehabilitation that refutes the usefulness of post-operative bracing. Despite its frequent use in common practive, bracing does not improve any functional outcomes and may in fact limit mobility unnecessarily. Emphasis should instead be placed on neuromuscular electrical stimulation, which has been shown to enhance muscle activation. Furthermore, it may reduce disuse atrophy, especially in the early recovery phase. Timing and structure of rehabilitation recommendations: • Pre-operative rehabilitation is strongly recommended in order to improve post-operative quadriceps strength, knee range of motion and may decrease the time to return to sport. At least one pre-operative visit can be helpful to determine if there is sufficient voluntary muscle activation and to educate the patient on the post-operative rehabilitation route. Modal agreement: "strongly agree" (mean: 96.1%) A program of five phases of rehab was created to recover and return to sport post ACLR. Phase one consisted of ROM and mobility, diminish pain and swelling, and strengthen the quadriceps muscles. Phase two is jogging on the treadmill. Phase three started agility drills in different body planes, fast bursting movements. Phase 4 starts plyometrics, jumping with both feet. Finally phase five progresses the bilateral jumps to unilateral leg hops. In the later stages the rehabilitation program should be tailored towards the primary sport the athlete is trying to return to. In ACL-SPORTS programs an athlete must pass a predetermined return-to-sport test. The requirements are limb symmetry, there good sided leg strength is symmetrical to the ACLR side, of 90% in the quadriceps strength test, 90% in each of the four single-legged hop tests, 90% on the Knee Outcomes Survey-Activities of Daily Living scale (KOS-ADLs), and in general rating of self-perceived knee function. All athletes should achieve greater than 90% limb symmetry of good sided 1RM. Psychological readiness is a crucial factor in determining when an athlete can safely return to sport following ACL reconstruction. Research suggests that objective and subjective psychological assessments should be incorporated into rehabilitation protocols, as athletes with higher psychological readiness scores have lower re-injury rates (Glattke et al., 2022). Additionally, high-intensity plyometric training has been found to be ineffective in ACL recovery and may not contribute to improved functional outcomes (Glattke et al., 2022). == Prognosis ==

The prognosis of ACL injury is generally good, with many people regaining function of the injured leg within months. Long term complications of ACL injury include early onset arthritis of the knee and/or re-tearing the ligament. Factors that increase risk of arthritis include severity of the initial injury, injury to other structures in the knee, and level of activity following treatment. Young female athletes have a significant risk of re-tearing an ACL graft, or tearing the ACL on the other knee after their recovery. This risk has been recorded as being nearly 1 out of every 4 young athletes. Therefore, athletes should be screened for any neuromuscular deficit (i.e. weakness greater in one leg than another, or incorrect landing form) before returning to sport. == Epidemiology ==

There are around 200,000 ACL tears each year in the United States. ACL tears newly occur in about 69 per 100,000 per year with rates in males of 82 per 100,000 and females of 59 per 100,000. When breaking down rates based on age and sex, females between the ages of 14 and 18 had the highest rates of injury with 227.6 per 100,000. Males between the ages of 19 and 24 had the highest rates of injury with 241 per 100,000. High school athletes are at increased risk for ACL tears when compared to non-athletes. Among high school girls in the US, the sport with the highest risk of ACL tear is soccer, followed by basketball and lacrosse. In the US women's basketball and soccer experience the most ACL tears then all other sports. In basketball, women are 5-8 times more likely to experience an ACL tear than men. Dogs Cruciate ligament rupture is a common orthopedic disorder in dogs. A study of insurance data showed the majority of the breeds with increased risk of cruciate ligament rupture were large or giant. == References ==