ACL injuries are one of the most recognized knee injuries that occurs in patients of all ages. Yet, there is often differences in the treatments and recovery of an ACL injury. While many factors may influence the recovery process, one significant factor is determining if the ACL is sprained or torn. So you might be wondering; what’s the difference between an ACL sprain and tear? Show What is the ACL?First, it may be helpful to review what the ACL actually is. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a ligament that connects your shin bone (the tibia) with your thigh bone (the femur). The ACL is located near the center of your knee and creates an X formation with your posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The ACL provides stability to your knee by controlling forward movement of your shin bone along with rotational movements at the knee. The ACL is an important ligament in providing stability of the knee during dynamic movements, particularly with cutting, jumping, decelerating or twisting motions.  ACL Sprain Vs. TearA typical ACL injury occurs when the knee buckles in toward the middle, can possibly be associated with a popping sound, and frequently occurs during a non-contact activity. When an ACL injury is suspected, there are two main ways this injury is assessed. First, a physical examination can be performed using several manual tests to assess the integrity of the ACL. A positive test is noted when the ligament does not seem to be preventing the motion it is designed to. The presence of swelling and loss of range of motion (ROM) may be noted. A thorough history of how the injury occurred all provide useful information. Using all the information gained the clinician is able to determine if an ACL injury is suspected. However, this may not always provide clear answers and further testing may need to be done. An MRI is able to provide a picture of the ACL and is extremely useful in determining if the ACL has sustained an injury and if so to what extent. This is particularly important for our topic at hand, because the difference between an ACL sprain and an ACL tear is the extent to which the ligament has been injured. There is a standard grading system used to classify the extent of an ACL injury:
Therefore, an ACL sprain is a Grade 1 or 2 injury to the ACL. The ligament has sustained some minor to moderate tearing, but the ligament has remained intact and can still perform its designed function. An ACL tear is when the ligament has partially or fully torn and can no longer perform its designed function. Treatment OptionsTreatment options may vary depending on if the ligament was a grade 1, 2 or 3 injury, however, some generally guidelines can be outlined.
ACL Injury PreventionTo reduce the number of ACL injuries and improve the outcomes for athletes that suffer an injury, Athletico Physical Therapy offers the ACL 3P Program, which stands for Prevention, Progression and Performance. Although it is impossible to prevent all injuries, Athletico’s ACL 3P program can help athletes be confident in the steps they have taken to reduce the risk of injury so that they can stay in the game. If you are interested in learning more about Athletico’s ACL 3P Program, including ACL risk assessment, please email . The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions. About the Author: What does a sprained ACL feel like?Symptoms of an ACL Sprain
Severe pain and tenderness occur along the joint line. Sometimes a loud “pop” or “popping” sensation is felt in the knee. Usually swelling in the knee occurs within 24 hours of the injury. There is a loss of full range of motion and slight to moderate discomfort when walking.
Can you walk on a sprained ACL?The short answer is yes. After the pain and swelling subsides and if there is no other injury to your knee, you may be able to walk in straight lines, go up and down stairs and even potentially jog in a straight line.
Can an ACL sprain turn into a tear?A Grade II sprain refers to an ACL injury where the fibers of the ligament are partially torn. This particular injury occurs occasionally, but in most cases the tears will be complete. The same symptoms apply as a Grade I sprain, however they tend to be more severe.
How do I know if I just tore my ACL?Sit down, take a rest, and take stock of how your knee feels. Intense pain, inability to bear weight, and sudden swelling are all signs that you've torn your ACL. Call your doctor or orthopedic specialist right away. The sooner you make see your doctor, the sooner you can start to feel better.
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How do you know if ACL is torn or sprained?
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