Lesson 1Mechanisms of ACL injury: biomechanics of cutting/pivoting, typical force vectors, pivot shift phenomenonLooks at body mechanics of cutting, pivoting, and landing that overload the ACL. Explains valgus, internal rotation, and front shear forces, the pivot shift, and how leg position and muscle control change 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 side ligaments and back-outer corner structures. Describes their layout, roles in side-to-side and twisting stability, injury types, and how combined damage affects ACL work and exam 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 around the knee, their surface marks, and risks during sudden injury or swelling. Covers check methods, warning signs, and how layout guides quick referrals and scans.
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 surfaces. Explains knee joint links, contact spots, and alignment, connecting these to load spread, wobble patterns, and non-contact injury risks.
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 main history hints and physical checks for ACL tears. Explains reading Lachman, front drawer, and pivot shift tests, common mistakes, and how swelling, tension, and other 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 joint covering, lining, fat cushions, and fluid sacs around the knee. Explains how these cause pain, fluid buildup, and catching feelings, and how they're hit in sudden non-contact injuries and 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 jobs in controlling slide and twist. Links layout to injury causes, clinical tests, and surgery 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 top anatomy books, scan guides, and agreed rules for ACL care. 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 scans and views. Reviews direct and indirect tear signs, usual bone bruise spots, and when plain X-rays spot breaks or pulls.
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 shape, horn links, and capsule ties. Explains side ligaments, shin and thigh bone links, and how these shape tear types, stability, 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 injury or fix. Covers thigh muscle balance, nerve-muscle control, position sense, graft safety, and clear, anatomy-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 cartilage tears, side ligament sprains, and bone bruises. Stresses load sharing, usual bruise spots, and how these groups shape outlook and scans.
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 anatomy to early pitch-side and emergency calls. Covers when to brace, limit weight, rush scans, and repeat nerve-blood checks, stressing anatomy-based 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
