
Overview
of the Anterior
Cruciate Ligament
(ACL)
The
Anterior Cruciate
Ligament or
ACL is situated
deep inside
the knee joint.
It acts as the
connective ligament
between the
thigh and shin
bones. The ACL
primary function
is to stop the
shin moving
too far forwards
and to prevent
the knee excessively
rotating. The
ACL is an essential
component when
stabilizing
the knee joint.
What
is ACL Knee
Injury?
ACL
knee injuries
occur due to
moderate to
severe trauma
from impact.
Severe impacts
during a rugby
tackle can cause
the ACL to rupture.
Harder tackles
can also involve
and tear the
Posterior Cruciate
Ligament. The
typical trauma
occurs due to
excessive twisting
of the knee
or landing very
hard from a
fall. Players
will complain
of pain on the
outside and
back of the
knee.
At
the time of
impact the knee
may be in a
bent or an overextended
position. ACL
knee injuries
are becoming
more and more
common due to
the increased
intensity of
rugby.
The
rugby player
may feel a sudden
snap or pop,
which is a bad
sound for a
rugby player!
This will be
followed by
intense pain
depending on
the level of
damage to the
ACL.
In
severe cases
other ligaments
such as the
Medial Collateral
Ligament as
well as the
Menisci Cartilage
can be damaged.
Bleeding inside
the knee joint
will occur and
the player may
have a swollen
painful knee
joint.
In
mild cases the
rugby player
may feel that
he/she is still
able to play
but once the
ACL loses its
structure it
will no longer
be effective
in knee joint
rotation and
the knee will
become instable.
Treatment
Ice
packs should
be immediately
placed on the
knee after the
injury. This
should be repeated
every twenty
minutes for
two hours; this
will reduce
swelling and
bleeding inside
the joint. Due
to swelling
around the knee
medical professionals
may find this
injury hard
to diagnose.
Ice packs and
cold compression
should be used
for the swelling
to decrease.
An MRI or arthroscope
will be used
to assess the
laxity of the
joint.
Rehabilitation
usually includes
a knee brace
which improves
the strength
and stability
of the joint.
It can be used
even during
physical activities.
ACL reconstruction
knee surgery
is indicated
for individuals
who did not
present much
improvement
from the
knee brace
or need to be
in full operating
status. The
surgery restores
knee function
fully by taking
a patella tendon
strip from the
patient to replace
the ACL. Modern
techniques have
made it possible
for individuals
to resume sports
activity within
six months.
Prevention
Tips
The
extent and risk
of injury is
dependent on
the size of
the ACL. The
smaller the
ACL, the bigger
the chance of
acquiring injury
and the larger
the extent of
the damage.
Pro-prioception
training which
makes use of
a wobble board
and taking a
break from physical
activities when
fatigued greatly
prevent ACL
knee injury
incidences.
Rugby
Rescue Recommends
Knee Supports
   
5 Star Rating

Excellent medial
and lateral
support ideal
for footballers.
This wrap around
design knee
brace is suitable
for cases of
knee instability
due to knee
ligament injuries.
How
does it work?
This high quality
knee brace is
lightweight
and comfortable,
with lock-stitch
taped seams
and fully trimmed
edges for durability.
The flexible
spiral stays
and dual criss-cross
elastic straps
create firm
medial and lateral
knee support
which reproduce
the effect of
a tape job to
support the
medial collateral
ligament (MCL)
and lateral
collateral ligament
(LCL) of the
knee.
The upper and
lower Velcro
fasteners act
as 'anchors'
and knee stabilisers
to maintain
maximum support.
This provides
support without
compromising
mobility and
may be more
suitable for
those engaged
in activities
that would be
overly compromised
by a hinged
support.
When
can I use it?
*Extremely
effective in
relieving knee
pain by taking
the stress off
knee ligaments
that may be
injured. *Perfect
for injuries
to the Anterior
Cruciate Ligament
(ACL) or Lateral
Collateral Ligament
(LCL).
*Also provides
knee pain relief
and knee support
following a
Cartilage injury
or when there
is mild Arthritis
in the knee.
*Ideal knee
brace when you
require good
knee support
but need to
maintain full
movement.
Excellent
medial and lateral
support ideal
for footballers.
Multi-tiered,
plush-lined
elastic body
with wraparound
design.

The
Knee sport strap
is designed
to simulate
knee joint strapping
techniques used
to support the
collateral knee
ligaments and
restrict joint
rotation but
still enable
running
|