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ACL injury

ACL injury

Overview

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries may occur from coming to a quick stop with a directional change while running, pivoting, landing, or overextending the joint in either direction.

Review Date 6/27/2026

Updated by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Peter and Sophie Pappas Endowed Chair, V-nee Yeh Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.