Causes and Patterns of ACL Injuries Among Egyptian People

The ACL (Anterior Cruciate ligament) is one of the most frequently injured ligaments of the knee, with a prevalence estimated to be 1 in 3000 in the US (greater than 120000 cases annually). ACL injury frequently affects young, active individuals. It is also frequently associated with other structural injuries in the Knee joint like meniscal tears and multi-ligamentous injuries. ACL injury leads to increased laxity in the knee, predispose the knee to subsequent injuries and early onset osteoarthritis of the knee.

Sports related trauma is the commonest cause of ACL rupture. Females are reported to have 2 to 10-fold higher risk of injury than males playing the same sport. According to previous studies at Assuit University Hospital the impression was that the ACL injuries are more common in males than females. Additionally, non-sports injuries like motor cycle accidents and domestic injuries are expected to be a major cause of ACL rupture, besides sports injuries, among Egyptian population.