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Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Cruciate ligament injury - anterior; ACL injury; Knee injury - anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

Prevention:

Use proper techniques when playing sports or exercising. Several women's collegiate sports programs have reduced ACL tears through a training program that teaches athletes how to minimize the stress they place on their ACL.

Although the issue is controversial, the use of knee braces during aggressive athletic activity, such as football, has not been shown to decrease the incidence of knee injuries and may give the player a false sense of security.

• Review Date: 7/16/2007
• Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy. Previously reviewed by Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (10/23/2006).

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