An injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) may be described as a partial tear, complete tear or an avulsion (tearing away) from the bone attachments that form the knee.
ACL degrees

Review Date:

8/14/2011

Reviewed By:

Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.