The most prominent symptom is knee buckling, which will be felt during running and cutting activities, as well as walking down stairs, and sometimes during other everyday activities. Knees that do not have an anterior cruciate ligament, are in most cases unstable, and instability results in unwanted, ongoing symptoms for patients. ACL avulsion fractures are more common in children than in adults, but can occur in adults, and are quite common in skiers. Direct trauma through a blunt force or hit can also cause this type of injury. This is usually the result of excessive overuse and muscular contraction during sports. In most cases, it’s the tibia (leg bone) that is affected-meaning, the ACL rips by breaking (fracturing) a piece of bone from where it attaches to the shinbone. ACL Avulsion FractureĪCL avulsion fracture is more rare than an ACL sprain, and occurs when the ACL tears by breaking a piece of bone off from where the ligament attaches to the thigh or leg.
For this particular grade of injury, reconstructive surgery is usually recommended, once full extension is achieved and the swelling decreases. Rarely, a complete ACL tear can occur without pain, swelling, or stiffness Grade III sprains almost always leave the knee unstable. Swelling and tenderness may be immediate, knee pain can be severe, and stiffness may result. Symptoms of a Grade III sprain are frequently more severe. This is often referred to as a rupture, meaning the ligament has completely torn apart into two sections.
This occurs when the fibers of the ligament are completely torn. Grade III sprains are the most common types of ACL injuries among athletes. In cases of instability, partial, or complete, ACL reconstruction is typically recommended. Reconstruction of a partially torn ACL will depend on the patient’s age, activity level, and sports or fitness goals, and will primarily depend on the patient’s symptoms. In other cases, the joint will feel stable, so not all Grade II sprains will require surgery.
The difference is in the instability, because some fibers of the ligament are actually torn, and the joint may feel unstable or as if it will give out during activity. The same symptoms apply as a Grade I sprain, however they tend to be more severe.
This particular injury occurs occasionally, but in most cases the tears will be complete. Grade II ACL SprainĪ Grade II sprain refers to an ACL injury where the fibers of the ligament are partially torn. A period of rest, along with anti-inflammatory medications, crutches, and ice can usually remedy this type of injury. Symptoms of a Grade I sprain include tenderness, swelling, moderate knee pain, and some limit to mobility. For the most part, the knee will remain stable. This type of ACL sprain occurs when the fibers of the ligament are stretched, but a tear does not exist. While patients will experience symptoms, they can usually be treated without surgery. Grade I sprains are considered the most mild of the different types of ACL injuries. ACL sprains are classified by a grade as follows: Grade I ACL Sprain ACL SprainsĪ sprain occurs when the fibers or threads of the ligament are stretched, partially torn, or in severe cases, completely ruptured. Types of ACL injuries can be diagnosed by a thorough examination, X-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). More than half of all types of ACL injuries occur with associated damage to another part of the knee – most commonly, another ligament, articular cartilage (bone lining), or meniscus (cushion pad).
These include: sprains, avulsion fractures, ACL deficiencies, and complex ligament injuries. There are several conditions that cause varying levels of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) instability.