TRAUMA-ACL INJURY

SUMMARY

1. Tears of the ACL are the most functionally devastating because of the ACL’s crucial role in the dynamic stability of the knee, especially during activities involving side to side or cutting maneuvers.

2. The ACL restrains anterior displacement of the tibia.

3. The individual is often rotated on a planted foot with the knee in flexion and the quadriceps activating strongly.

4. Anterior drawer and Lachmann tests are positive. assoc. with Segond (lateral tibial plateau) fracture.

5. Initial management involves rest, ice, immobilization and analgesia for 1-2 weeks prior to consideration for surgical management.

6. Athletes who participate in cut-pivot activities should consider ligament reconstruction, sedentary individuals can opt for rehab.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].