One of the most common knee injuries is an anterior cruciate ligament sprain or tear.
Athletes who participate in high-demand sports like soccer, football, and basketball are more likely to injure their anterior cruciate ligaments.
- Grade 1 Sprains: The ligament is mildly damaged in a Grade 1 sprain. It has been slightly stretched but is still able to help keep the knee joint stable.
- Grade 2 Sprains: A Grade 2 Sprain stretches the ligament to the point where it becomes loose. This is often referred to as a partial tear of the ligament.
- Grade 3 Sprains: This type of sprain is most commonly referred to as a complete tear of the ligament. The ligament has been split into two pieces, and the knee joint is unstable.
Partial tears of the anterior cruciate ligament are rare; most ACL injuries are complete or near-complete tears.
