The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is the main stabilizer in the knee. It prevents anterior movement of the tibia during twisting of the knee or landing from a jump. The injury is usually associated with immediate pain and swelling in the knee associated with instability or giving way. The initial pain and swelling may settle over a number of weeks but often a degree of instability on twisting or recurrent swelling is present. The ligament does not heal or repair itself and the symptoms are usually prolonged unless the patient wishes to restrict their activities and/or to use an immobilizing knee brace. If appropriate treatment is not undertaken then continuing symptoms, limitations in sports and progressive degenerative changes often result. Therefore surgical reconstruction of the ligament is often necessary and commonly recommended in order to allow patients to resume their pre-injury level of activities.
