Anatomy: 

• The knee is the largest joint in the body and it’s made of a double condyloid joint that includes the distal femur, proximal tibia, and patella bones.
• There are two types of ligaments- collateral and cruciate. The collateral ones are medial and lateral, and the cruciate are posterior and anterior.

Functions:

• It resists excessive anterior movement of tibia on femur.
• It prevents hyperextension.
• It aids resistance of excessive valgus stress.

ACL Injuries:

• Very common sports injury-in the UK, majority from football, but this is due to the sheer number of people who play football. You’re more likely to tear your ACL in a sport like taekwando that involves a lot of pivoting.
• It can occur in isolation or in combination with a meniscus or MCL
  (medial collateral ligament) tear.
• If left untreated then it can lead to instability, degeneration, or meniscal injuries.
• Symptoms include an audible pop or sensation, extreme pain and swelling within an hour.

ACL Injuries and Women:

• Women are 3-6 times more likely to injure their ACL than men, but statistically more men injure their ACL because more play sport.
• Anatomically; women have a wider pelvis and the intracondylar notch is narrower (where the ACL starts)
• Hormonal; progesterone has an effect on the tensile strength of ligaments and tendons
• Neuromuscular; women can’t control their knees as well as men?