Lesson 1Mechanisms of ACL injury: biomechanics of cutting/pivoting, typical force vectors, pivot shift phenomenonLooks at body mechanics of cutting, turning, and landing that overload the ACL. Explains inward lean, inward twist, and forward push forces, the pivot shift, and how leg position and muscle control change the risk.
Knee loading during cutting and pivoting tasksValgus and internal rotation force vectorsQuadriceps-driven anterior tibial shear forcesPivot shift phenomenon and rotatory instabilityInfluence of alignment and neuromuscular controlLesson 2Collateral ligaments and posterolateral corner: MCL, LCL, posterolateral structures and their contribution to rotatory stabilityLooks at inner and outer side ligaments and back-outer corner parts. Describes their layout, roles in side-to-side and twist stability, injury types, and how combined damage affects ACL work and check results.
Superficial and deep MCL anatomy and functionLCL course, attachments, and palpation landmarksKey posterolateral corner structuresVarus–valgus and rotatory stability contributionsPatterns and grading of collateral complex injuryLesson 3Neurovascular structures around the knee relevant to examination and complicationsDetails main nerves and blood vessels crossing the knee, their surface marks, and risks during sudden injury or swelling. Covers check methods, danger signs, and how layout guides quick referral and scan choices.
Course of popliteal artery and genicular branchesTibial and common peroneal nerve surface landmarksNeurovascular exam after acute knee traumaCompartment syndrome and ischemia warning signsIatrogenic neurovascular risks during proceduresLesson 4Knee joint osteology and articulations: femur, tibia, patella, tibiofemoral and patellofemoral biomechanicsOutlines thigh bone, shin bone, and kneecap bone structure and joint faces. Explains thigh-shin and kneecap-thigh joint contacts, touch areas, and alignment, linking to load spread, wobble patterns, and twist injury risk.
Distal femur condyles and intercondylar notchProximal tibia plateaus and tibial spine anatomyPatellar facets and trochlear groove morphologyTibiofemoral kinematics in flexion and rotationPatellofemoral tracking and contact mechanicsLesson 5Clinical presentation and signs of ACL tear: history features (pop, rapid swelling), Lachman, anterior drawer, pivot shift—interpretation and pitfallsCovers key story clues and body checks for ACL tears. Explains reading Lachman, front pull, and pivot shift tests, common mistakes, and how swelling, stiffness, and linked injuries change results.
History: pop, swelling, and giving-way episodesInspection and effusion assessment techniquesPerforming and grading the Lachman testAnterior drawer and pivot shift interpretationCommon pitfalls and false negative scenariosLesson 6Common non-ligamentous soft tissues: joint capsule, synovium, fat pad, bursae and their role in effusion and painDescribes the joint cover, lining, fat cushions, and fluid sacs around the knee. Explains how these parts cause pain, fluid buildup, and sticking feelings, and how they react in sudden twist injuries and after-swelling.
Capsular reflections and recesses of the kneeSynovial folds, plicae, and effusion pathwaysInfrapatellar and suprapatellar fat pad anatomyMajor bursae and patterns of bursitisSoft tissue contributors to anterior knee painLesson 7Primary knee ligaments: ACL, PCL—fiber orientation, attachment sites, functional roles in stabilityDetails ACL and PCL fibre bundles, start points, and end points, and their roles in controlling slide and twist. Links layout to injury causes, clinical tests, and effects on repair tunnel spots.
ACL anteromedial and posterolateral bundlesPCL anterolateral and posteromedial bundlesTibial and femoral attachment site landmarksRoles in anterior, posterior, and rotatory controlAnatomic considerations for graft tunnel placementLesson 8Key anatomical resources and standards: recommended anatomy texts, MRI knee atlases, and consensus guidelines for ACL management relevant to clinical reasoningSums up useful anatomy books, scan guides, and agreed rules that help ACL decisions. Stresses using these to sharpen scan reading, surgery plans, and recovery thinking.
Core knee anatomy and sports medicine textbooksMRI knee atlases and online image repositoriesConsensus statements on ACL evaluationGuidelines for ACL reconstruction and rehabStrategies for integrating evidence into practiceLesson 9Imaging correlation for ACL injuries: MRI anatomy of ACL on standard sequences, common MRI signs (fiber discontinuity, edema, bone bruise), when X-ray is usefulFocuses on MRI look of ACL on usual views. Reviews direct and indirect tear signs, usual bone bruise spots, and when simple X-rays are key to spot breaks or pull-offs.
Normal ACL appearance on sagittal MRIPrimary MRI signs of partial and complete tearsIndirect MRI signs and pivot shift bone bruisesRole of X-ray in acute ACL-related traumaCommon MRI pitfalls and normal variantsLesson 10Menisci anatomy and attachments: medial and lateral meniscus shape, coronary ligaments, meniscotibial and meniscofemoral attachmentsReviews inner and outer cushion shapes, end attachments, and cover links. Explains side ligaments, cushion-shin and cushion-thigh links, and how they shape tear types, steadiness, and healing chances.
Medial versus lateral meniscus shape and mobilityAnterior and posterior horn tibial insertionsCoronary ligaments and capsular attachmentsMeniscotibial and meniscofemoral ligament anatomyAnatomic basis of common meniscal tear patternsLesson 11Rehabilitation priorities from anatomic perspective: restoring quad/hamstring balance, neuromuscular control, proprioception, graft considerations and return-to-sport criteriaTurns anatomy into recovery priorities after ACL harm or repair. Covers front-back thigh muscle balance, nerve-muscle control, position sense, graft safety, and clear, body-based return-to-play rules.
Restoring quadriceps and hamstring strength balanceNeuromuscular and movement pattern retrainingProprioceptive and dynamic stability drillsGraft healing timelines and load progressionObjective criteria for return-to-sport clearanceLesson 12Associated injury patterns: medial meniscal tears, MCL injury, bone bruises—anatomic rationale and frequencyLooks at how ACL breaks often pair with inner cushion tears, inner ligament sprains, and bone bruises. Stresses body load sharing, usual bruise spots, and how these groups shape outlook and scan picks.
Load sharing between ACL, MCL, and medial meniscusTypical bone bruise locations on femur and tibiaPatterns in valgus collapse and pivoting mechanismsImaging clues to combined ligament–meniscal injuryPrognostic impact of associated structural damageLesson 13Immediate management guided by anatomy: indications for immobilization, weight-bearing decisions, urgent imaging, neurovascular checksLinks surface layout with early field and emergency choices. Covers when to brace, safe weight steps, quick scans, and nerve-blood checks, stressing body-risk sorting and records.
When to immobilize versus allow early motionWeight-bearing decisions based on injured structuresIndications for urgent versus routine imagingSerial neurovascular checks and documentationRecognizing red flags requiring emergency referral
