An ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is one of the four main ligaments in your knee. It helps to stabilize your knee joint and prevent it from rotating or pivoting excessively. ACL tears are a common knee injury, especially among athletes who play sports that involve sudden stops and starts, such as basketball, football, and soccer. Tears can range from minor to severe, and even a partial ACL tear can cause significant pain and instability.
There are a number of things you can do to avoid ACL tears, including: