ACL in : Anterior drawer test · 540

ACL injuries are among the most extensively studied injuries in sports medicine, most often occurring during non-contact movements such as cutting or landing rather than direct collision. They are especially common in sports involving frequent pivoting, such as soccer, basketball, and skiing, and disproportionately affect younger athletes.

Management of an ACL tear can involve surgical reconstruction or, in some cases, a structured non-surgical rehabilitation approach, with the choice depending on factors such as activity goals, associated injuries, and knee stability. This page covers the ligament's anatomy and role, related conditions, assessment, and the extensive exercise progression typically involved in ACL rehabilitation.

Does every ACL tear require surgery? Not necessarily — some individuals, particularly those with lower activity demands or good dynamic knee stability, can do well with structured non-surgical rehabilitation, while others, especially those returning to pivoting sports, are more often advised toward reconstruction.