Lesson 1Mechanisms of ACL injury: biomechanics of cutting/pivoting, typical force vectors, pivot shift phenomenonLooks at how cutting, turning, and landing overload the ACL in sports like soccer. Covers side stress, inward twist, front push forces, the pivot shift effect, and how leg position and muscle control change injury risk for Namibian players.
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 stabilityStudies 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 exam results in local clinics.
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 complicationsCovers main nerves and blood vessels near the knee, their surface marks, and risks during sudden injury or swelling. Includes check methods, warning signs, and how layout guides quick referrals and scans in Namibian settings.
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, kneecap bone structure and joint faces. Explains thigh-shin and kneecap-thigh joint contacts, alignment, linking to load spread, wobble patterns, and twist injury risks in sports.
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 pitfallsReviews key story clues and hands-on tests for ACL tears. Explains reading Lachman, front pull, and pivot shift tests, usual mistakes, and how swelling, tension, and other injuries change results in field assessments.
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 knee joint cover, lining, fat cushions, and fluid sacs. Explains how they cause pain, fluid buildup, and sticking feelings, and changes in sudden twist injuries and after-swelling in athletes.
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 groups, start points, end points, and control of slide and spin. Links features to injury causes, tests, and surgery tunnel spots for better repairs.
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 reasoningLists top anatomy books, knee scan guides, and agreed rules for ACL care. Shows how to use them for better scan reading, surgery plans, and recovery thinking in Namibian practice.
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 ACL look on usual MRI views. Reviews tear signs, fluid, bone hits, and when simple X-rays spot breaks or pulls in resource-limited clinics.
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 cartilage shapes, root holds, and cover links. Explains side ligaments, shin-thigh holds, and influence on tear types, steadiness, and mend 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 steps after ACL harm or fix. Covers thigh-ham balance, muscle sense, feel, graft care, and clear sport-return rules based on structure.
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 ACL breaks with inner cartilage tears, side ligament sprains, bone hits. Stresses load share, usual bone marks, and how 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 outer anatomy to pitch-side and urgent care choices. Covers brace needs, safe step limits, quick scans, nerve-blood checks, stressing structure-based risk sort and notes.
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
