Frequently Asked Questions about ACL Injuries - What is the
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)? - How can the ACL tear? - What
are the signs that an ACL is torn? - What other knee structures
can be injured when the ACL tears? - What is the initial
treatment for a knee that may have a torn ACL? - How will the
knee function if the ACL is torn? - When should surgery be
performed for a torn ACL? - Do all ACL tears need surgery? 1.
What is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)? The anterior
cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four major ligaments that
stabilize the knee joint. A ligament is a tough band of fibrous
tissue, similar to a rope, connecting the bones together at a
joint. There are two ligaments on the sides of the knee
(collateral ligaments) that give stability to sideways motions:
the medial collateral ligament (MCL) on the inner side and the
lateral collateral ligament (LCL) on the outer side of the knee.
Two ligaments cross over in the center of the knee joint
(therefore, called cruciate). The forward lig