ACL Injury Flashcards
Where do both the cruciate ligaments originate?
Intercondylar notch
(groove between the two condyles)
Where do the ACL and PCL originate?
ACL- Lateral aspect
PCL- Medial aspect
What do the ACL and PCL do?
ACL- prevents anterior dislocation
PCL- prevents posterior dislocation
How is the ACL typically damaged?
Twisting injury
What symptoms suggest ACL injury?
Pain
Rapid swelling
Pop sound
Instability or giving way
Why can the knee buckle with ACL injury?
Tibia can move anteriorly below femur
What can over time if ACL injuries are not repaired?
Muscle weakness
Increased risk of other knee injury
What tests are used for diagnosis ACL damage on examination?
Anterior Drawer Test
Lachman Test
What is the first line imaging investigation for ACL injury?
MRI
What is the gold-standard investigation for diagnosis of cruciate ligament tear?
Arthroscopy
What is the conservative management of ACL injury?
RICE
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation
What is the first-line analgesia in MSK injury?
NSAIDs e.g. ibuprofen or naproxen
What may be used to protect the knee when mobilising?
Crutches
Knee braces
What usually happens in arthroscopic surgery?
Ligament reconstruction using a graft of another tendon
What tendons can be used as grafts for ACL reconstruction?
Hamstring
Quadriceps
Bone-patellar tendon-bone (taking part of the bone too)
