Anatomy

Question 1

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (acl)

Answer 1

-most frequently injured
- attaches to anterior tibia and posterior femur
- crosses PCL to stabilize the sagittal plane
-resists anterior movement of the tibia and medial rotation of the knee

• not palpable
  -post injury = hypertonic hamstrings and spasm in muscles around the knee

Question 2

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)

Answer 2

• primary knee stabilizer
• broader and stronger than acl
  -attaches to posterior tibia and anterior femur
• prevents posterior movement and lateral rotation of tibia
  -not palpable
• post injury = hypertonic quadriceps and muscle spasms around the knee
  ACL and PCL are named according to where they attach to the tibia and what action they resist.

Question 3

Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)

Answer 3

A.K.A - tibial collateral ligament

part of the terrible triad: injury to the ACL, MCL and Medial Meniscus

Question 4

Terrible Triad

Answer 4

Anterior cruciate ligament
Medial Collateral Ligament
Medial Meniscus

Question 5

Lateral Collateral Ligament

Answer 5

A.K.A - fibular collateral ligament

rarely injured as ankle will sprain first
- attaches to lateral femur and head of the fibula

• no fibrous connection to joint or meniscus
• biceps femoris and ITB cross directly over LCL (often mistaken for ITB friction syndrome)

Post injury = hypertonic abductors, TFL and glute max

Question 6

Meniscus

Answer 6

-Lateral and medial menisci - fibrocartilage

-does not attach to the femur, it articulates to it.