ACL Tear Diagnosis
The first step in diagnosing a torn ACL is establishing a medical history.
Your WellStar physician will examine the injured knee, comparing it to the uninjured knee. The examination may include a Lachman’s test in which you lie flat on your back with the injured leg bent and your foot flat on the table. The physician moves the lower portion of the leg forward. If it moves too freely, the ACL may be torn. Your WellStar physician may also check of instability by rotating your foot while bending the injured knee.
The physician may order imaging tests such as X-rays or an MRI (magnetic resonance) imaging to confirm the diagnosis. X-rays do not show ACL tears, but an X-ray may reveal other damage done at the time of the trauma.
Diagnostic Procedures
- Physical exam
- X-ray
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)