The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the ligaments deep inside your knee
joint. Its purpose is to decrease the movement of your thigh bone (femur) on
your lower leg bone (tibia). If this ligament is injured or torn, there will
be too much movement of the bones and this can cause injuries and pain in your
muscles, other knee ligaments, and bones. If you have torn your ACL, there may
be pain with walking, going up stairs, and sitting down. You may wake up with
pain and stiffness in your knee. An ACL tear can also cause a feeling of instability
when you walk so that the knee feels like it "gives out" on you.
The following picture illustrates the anterior cruciate ligament in a knee joint.
Other
Orthopaedic Conditions