The key difference between ACL and meniscus tear is that ACL tear is an injury of the anterior cruciate ligament, while meniscus tear is an injury of a cartilage part of the knee called the meniscus.
ACL and meniscus tear are two types of common sports injuries usually occurring between the thigh bone and shinbone. A tear requires more intervention than a strain or sprain. Moreover, both these injuries can be painful and sideline an athlete for months of recovery.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is ACL Tear
3. What is Meniscus Tear
4. Similarities – ACL and Meniscus Tear
5. ACL vs Meniscus Tear in Tabular Form
6. Summary – ACL vs Meniscus Tear
What is ACL Tear?
ACL tear is an injury of the anterior cruciate ligament, which helps to connect the thigh bone to the shinbone. ACL tears most commonly occur during sports, especially during sudden stops or changes in direction and jumping and lading in sports like football, basketball, and downhill skiing. Many people who face ACL tear hear or feel a popping sensation in the knee during the injury. ACL is a ligament that stabilizes the knee and helps prevent hyperextension. It is a ligament that attaches the front of the tibia to the back of the femur. In ACL tears, you may feel the knee give away. Generally, an ACL tear swells up quickly and makes it difficult to walk.
Figure 01: ACL Tear
The sign and symptoms of ACL tear may include a loud popping sensation, severe pain, inability to continue the activity, loss of range of motion, rapid swelling, and a feeling of instability. ACL tears have a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis as well. ACL tears can be diagnosed through physical examination, X-ray, MRI, and ultrasound. Furthermore, the treatment options for ACL tear may include rest, icing the knee, compression, elevation, rehabilitation, and surgery.
What is Meniscus Tear?
Each of the knees has two C-shaped pieces of cartilage acting like a cushion between the shinbone and thighbone. Injury to the meniscus is known as a meniscus tear. In meniscus tear, pain and swelling usually begin after 24 hours or more. The typical signs and symptoms of this condition may include a popping sensation, swelling or stiffness, pain when twisting or rotating the knee, difficulty straightening the knee fully, feeling as though the knee is locked in place when trying to move it, and feeling of the knee giving away. Meniscus tears may also have a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis.
Figure 02: MRI of Meniscus Tear
Moreover, meniscus tears can be diagnosed through physical examinations, X-rays, MRIs, and arthroscopy. Treatment options for meniscus tears include rest, ice for reducing swelling, over-the-counter medication for pain relief, physical therapy, and surgery (surgically trimming meniscus and knee replacement).
What are the Similarities Between ACL and Meniscus Tear?
- ACL and meniscus tear are two types of common sports injuries usually occurring between the thigh bone and shinbone of people.
- Both these tears can be painful and sideline an athlete for months of recovery.
- Both these tears have common signs and symptoms, such as a popping sensation and feeling of the knee giving away.
- They can cause complications such as osteoarthritis.
- They are treated through resting, applying ice, and specific surgeries.
What is the Difference Between ACL and Meniscus Tear?
ACL tear is an injury of the anterior cruciate ligament, which helps connect the thigh bone to the shinbone, while a meniscus tear is an injury of a cartilage part of the knee called the meniscus. Thus, this is the key difference between ACL and meniscus tear. Furthermore, an ACL tear is caused by activities like suddenly slowing down and changing direction, pivoting with the foot firmly planted, landing awkwardly from a jump, stopping suddenly, receiving a direct blow to the knee, or having a collision. On the other hand, a meniscus tear is caused by any activity such as aggressive pivoting, sudden stops and turns, kneeling, deep squatting, or lifting something heavy.
The below infographic presents the differences between ACL and meniscus tear in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – ACL vs Meniscus Tear
ACL and meniscus tear are two types of common sports injuries usually seen in sports like football, tennis, basketball, and skiing. They occur between the thigh bone and shinbone. ACL tear is an injury of the anterior cruciate ligament, which helps connect the thigh bone to the shinbone, while a meniscus tear is an injury of a cartilage part of the knee called the meniscus. So, this summarizes the difference between ACL and meniscus tear.
Reference:
1. “ACL Injury.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 10 Mar. 2021.
2. “Torn Meniscus.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 6 Jan. 2022.
Image Courtesy:
1. “ACL Tear” By BruceBlaus – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “MRI meniscus tear” By Ciernik M – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia