Knee Ligament Tears: ACL, Meniscus, and MCL Injuries

The ACL is essential for maintaining knee stability, playing a critical role in preventing excessive motion. Tears to this ligament commonly occur from hyperextension, where the knee locks out too far, or from a valgus collapse, an inward caving of the knee.

When the ACL is torn, the knee becomes noticeably loose and unstable, severely impacting its ability to function correctly.

The medial meniscus functions as a vital shock absorber within the knee, cushioning impacts and distributing weight across the joint. It is particularly susceptible to tearing from rotational forces, especially when combined with an inward shift of the knee.

Such tears often result from sudden twists or pivots while the knee is in a vulnerable, knock-knee position.

The MCL acts as the inner strap of the knee, providing crucial stability against forces that push the knee inward. Injuries to the MCL frequently result from a valgus collapse or direct inward pressure on the knee.

These tears can occur either through non-contact mechanisms, such as awkward landings or movements with inward collapse, or from a violent force applied to the side of the knee.