Why are ACL tears more common than PCL tears?

Why Is the ACL More Likely to Be Injured than the PCL? Of the four ligaments that comprise the knee, the ACL is the one that is most frequently torn or stretched. When the feet remain planted, but there’s a sudden rotation or twisting of the knee, the ACL is often stretched or torn to the point of injury.

Why is MCL tear more common than LCL?

Grade 3 Sprains. The MCL is injured more often than the LCL. Due to the more complex anatomy of the outside of the knee, if you injure your LCL, you usually injure other structures in the joint, as well. Complete tears of the MCL (left) and LCL (right).

Why are ACL tears more common?

The ACL tears more often than any other ligament—there may be as many as 200,000 ACL injuries per year in the United States—because of the lack of muscle support for twisting or rotational movements around the joint.

Why is the ACL the most common knee injury?

One of the most common knee injuries is an ACL sprain or tear. Typically, injury occurs during activity/sports play that includes sudden changes in the direction of movement, rapid stopping, jumping and landing abnormally, a direct blow to the lateral aspect of the knee, or slowing down while running.

Are PCL or ACL injuries more common?

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury happens far less often than does injury to the knee’s more vulnerable counterpart, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The posterior cruciate ligament and ACL connect your thighbone (femur) to your shinbone (tibia).

Is MCL injury more common than LCL?

knee ligament ACL Injuries and Reconstruction Combined Knee Ligament Injuries PCL Injuries and Reconstruction sprains or tears are a common sports injury, and the MCL is injured more often than the LCL. In fact, the MCL is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee.

Is MCL or LCL more likely to tear?

The ACL runs diagonally in the front of the knees, connecting the femur to the tibia. Due to its location, it’s the knee ligament that’s most prone to injury. The MCL is located on the inner sides of your knees. They are most likely to tear when a person receives a hard blow to the outside of the knee.

Why are females more susceptible to ACL injury?

Women also have much more estrogen than men. Essential to bone growth, this hormone fluctuates during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Estrogen may also cause greater laxity (looseness) in tendons and ligaments, which can make women more prone to injury.

When is the ACL most vulnerable to injury?

The ACL is particularly vulnerable to injury during athletic activity or as the result of impact, and a torn ACL is a common injury in athletes of all levels. It is especially common in sports with a lot of leg planting, cutting and pivoting, such as soccer, basketball, skiing and football.

How is the ACL most commonly injured?

ACL injuries most commonly occur during sports that involve sudden stops or changes in direction, jumping and landing — such as soccer, basketball, football and downhill skiing.

Which is worse ACL or LCL tear?

The quick answer is that the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is most likely to be considered the worst ligament in the knee to tear.

How to tell if you have an ACL tear?

At the moment of injury you may hear a pop or popping sound. You may also feel a pop when the ACL tears.

What to expect after an ACL tear?

What to Expect After an ACL Tear. It typically begins with a short period of non-weight bearing and immobilization, with gentle range of motion beginning as soon as your surgeon’s protocol allows. Partial weight bearing begins after the first week, and progresses to full weight bearing as tolerated and per your surgeon’s protocol.

What are the treatment options for an ACL tear?

ACL Tear Treatment Options. Treatment for ACL tears ranges from bracing and physical therapy to surgery, depending on your knee stability and your desired activity level. If you and your doctor decide against surgery, nonsurgical treatment options include: Bracing: A brace can protect your knee from instability.

What is ACL, PCL, and their functions?

The ACL and PCL are two major ligaments that crisscross within the joint, allowing the knee to flex and extend without sliding back and forth. The ACL prevents the tibia from sliding forward along the femur, while the PCL prevents the tibia and femur from sliding backwards.