Prevention of Anterior Cruciate LigamentInjury NATIONAL ATHLETICTRAINERS POSITIONSTATEMENT:DIAGNOSIS/TREATMENTX-RAYSMRIsUltrasoundR.I.C.ERehab - will reduce pain and swelling, restore your knee'sfull range of motion, and strengthen muscles They will weara brace to stabilize your knee and use crutches for a whileto avoid putting weight on your knee.A loud pop or a "popping"sensation in the kneeSevere pain and inability tocontinue activityRapid swellingLoss of range of motionA feeling of instability or "givingway" with weight bearingSIGNS/SYMPTOMSRISK FACTORS Being female — possibly due todifferences in anatomy, musclestrength and hormonal influences Poor conditioningUsing faulty movement patterns,such as moving the knees inwardduring a squatWearing footwear that doesn't fitproperlyUsing poorly maintained sportsequipment, such as ski bindingsthat aren't adjusted properlyACL INJURYAn ACL injury is a tear or sprain ofthe anterior cruciate ligament whichis one of the strong bands of tissuethat help connect your thigh bone toyour shinbone. ACL injuries mostcommonly occur during sports thatinvolve sudden stops or changes indirection, jumping and landing suchas soccer, basketball snd