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Mechanism of Injury

The patient states that while bringing the ball down field he quickly planted his right foot and attempted to change direction to avoid an opposing player, while another defender made contact with the outside (lateral) aspect of his knee.

KEY POINTS:  Examples of common mechanisms of injury include ACL injury via quick pivots on a planted foot, or during incidental contact while an athlete lands and eccentrically contracts the quadriceps.  Forced valgus and varus mechanisms injure the MCL and LCL respectively. Hyperextension, hyperflexion, or posteriorly directed force on the tibia can injury the PCL.

 

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