Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears
The anterior cruciate ligament runs
from the top bone of the knee to the bottom one and prevents the
top bone from sliding forward when the foot hits the ground
during running and walking. If it is torn, the knee becomes so
unstable that a person will have difficulty walking, so all torn
anterior cruciate ligaments must be repaired.
A study from East Germany showed that athletes who tear
the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in their knees will have
permanent knee damage if they return to competitive sports
(Arthroscopy, June 2005). In this study, East German Olympic athletes who tore
their knee ligaments in 1963-1965, and returned to competition
after having their ligaments repaired, were examined 10 and 20
years later. Virtually all had severe knee cartilage damage and
more than half had total knee replacement surgery.
Athletes with repaired torn ACLs probably should never
run or jump again, although they may be able to pedal a bicycle.
Another study showed that people who have broken cartilage in
their knees can walk and cycle, but should not run or jump.
To keep your bones from wearing down at the joints,
their ends are covered with a thick white gristle called cartilage.
Even one bleed into a joint damages its cartilage forever. Doctors
cannot replace or heal broken cartilage, they can only replace
entire knee joints. Operating and removing broken cartilage
probably increases a person's chances of needing a knee
replacement, particularly if the exerciser continues to run and
jump. Shearing forces on the knee are very great during walking
downhill and running, and minimal during walking on level ground
and cycling. So people who have ever damaged cartilage in their
knee should walk on level ground, swim or cycle, and avoid
running and jumping.
Checked 2/7/08