The ACL is the most commonly injured knee ligament. Sports injuries usually cause ACL tears. If you tear your ACL, you’ll probably need surgery to repair it. Most people who tear their ACL make a full recovery and resume playing sports with no long-term consequences. The recovery time for a torn ACL is usually six to nine months.
Types of ACL injuries
Healthcare providers usually grade ACL injuries and tears. These grades are a quick way to describe the extent of your injury, ACL injury grades range from one (the least severe) to three (the most severe: Grade one: The injury stretched your ACL enough to damage it, but it’s still in one piece and holding your knee bones together. Grade two: The injury stretched your ACL so much that it was partially torn and loosened. Grade three: A complete tear — your ACL is in two pieces.
Risk factors of ACL injuries
Being female
Possibly due to differences in anatomy, muscle strength and hormonal influences ACL injuries.
Sports
Participating in certain sports, such as soccer, football, basketball, gymnastics and downhill skiing
Poor conditioning
Using faulty movement patterns, such as moving the knees inward during a squat
Wearing footwear that doesn’t fit properly
Using poorly maintained sports equipment, such as ski bindings that aren’t adjusted properly
And finally, Healthcare providers usually grade ACL injuries and tears. These grades are a quick way to describe the extent of your injury. Also wear footwear and padding that is appropriate for your sport to help prevent injury. If you downhill ski, make sure your ski bindings are adjusted correctly by a trained professional so that your skis will release appropriately if you fall.