ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study of a 26-year-old man who reports that he fell whilst skiing and cannot remember how he landed. This man has a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This is often seen in younger patients and is associated with high-energy sports such as skiing, football or cycling. The radiographs in this case show a large lipohaemarthosis most evident in the lateral view extending into the suprapatellar pouch. Definitive treatment depends on age, premorbid functional status and extent of injury. Minor sprains and incomplete tears of the ACL may be treated conservatively with physiotherapy and graded return to normal activity. Exact timing of operation depends on the extent of injury, but it is usually performed on an urgent outpatient basis. The aim is to restore function and prevent any secondary injury to the articular surface or the menisci.
