How did it feel?

Hi krazigirl, Although I'm not a medical professional, I can tell you what it felt like when I tore my acl. I tore my left acl almost two years ago landing from a layup while playing basketball. As my foot made contact with the ground I both heard and felt a significant "pop," then my knee buckled and I could not stand, so I fell to the ground. My knee was pretty majorly swollen within the hour, and major bruising had appeared by the next day. Once I had an mri, it showed an acl tear, an mcl tear as well as meniscal tear. I had arthroscopic surgery a couple months later using my own live hamstring graft and it now feels, I dare say 100%. I tore my right acl this May and actually just had surgery last week. That's why I'm checking out this website, it's kinda comforting to hear people's experiences. Anyway, I tore the right one while running and jumping to catch a frisbee. When I landed, although my knee didn't buckle, I once again heard and felt that "popping" sound. I didn't immediately fall to the floor but definitely had to sit down. Again, swelling proceeded, although not as bad as the first injury and no bruising. MRI showed no meniscal tear or mcl tear/sprain. I hope that can be helpful to you. The best thing to do is have an Orthopedist take a look at it. They can actually diagnose it pretty easily by feeling for an endpoint when pulling your tibia anterior to your femur, of course followed by an mri to confirm. Good luck to you!

I'm curious about ACL or PCL injuries. I have had 4 partial meniscectomies, but never ACL or PCL damage. Yesterday, I tripped and fell striaght on my knee, while moving in a forward direction. Immediately I was unable to bend my knee and it felt a little weak. I am unable to bend past about 120 degrees without taking my hands and holding my hamstring- then I'm able to bend it easily. There is a slight amount of pain, but more of a dull ache inside my knee. How did it feel when you injured your ACL / PCL??? THANKS!