An Injured ACL?

Dear Ask The Doctor: I think that I've torn my ACL. My knee suddenly gave out, I was in intense pain for twenty minutes or so, my knee is badly swollen and bruised and it feels as though it will give out again everytime I straighten it. The muscle on the underside of my outer knee is still extremely sore. I am a 20 year old female, this has happened to me many times throughout my life, and I do not play sports. Does this sound like a torn ACL? If so, is it worth sitting in a waiting room for four or five hours to get checked? Can a doctor do anything about it?

Dear Jessica: Your symptoms definitely suggest ome ligament instability. And you are right to think that this could be your ACL (anterior cruciate Ligament). It is also likely that some of your other knee ligaments are also not working as they should. You should definitely have thisproblem assessed by an orthopedic surgeon. He/she will perform then necessary examinations to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment may involve an extended period of rest or even surgical repair.