10/10/2025
What Does the ACL Actually Do—and Why Do Athletes Keep Injuring It?
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is one of the knee’s key stabilizers. It’s like the seatbelt for your shin—keeping it from sliding too far forward or twisting out of control when you pivot, jump, or land.
• Located deep inside the knee, it connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone) and helps control rotation and forward motion.
• In sports like football, soccer, and basketball, sudden stops or changes in direction can overload the ACL—especially if the muscles around the knee aren’t absorbing the shock.
🧠 Fun fact: Most ACL tears happen without contact. It’s often the body’s own momentum that does the damage.