Primary ligament preventing anterior tibial translation at knee
Expansion
Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Purpose
Assess for tear (anterior drawer, Lachman, pivot shift tests)
Clinical Context
Anterior cruciate ligament tear common in young athletes. Magnetic resonance imaging shows increased signal (oedema), discontinuity, or complete absence. Secondary signs include bone contusions (lateral femoral condyle, medial tibial plateau).
Related Terms
- Posterior cruciate ligament
- Medial collateral ligament
- Knee ligaments
Key Points
- Anterior cruciate ligament tear magnetic resonance imaging gold standard; incomplete tears may be challenging; functional rehabilitation versus surgery depends on activity level