What are the common signs and symptoms of an anterior cruciate ligament injury?

Pain, Instability: The most common symptoms are pain, swelling of the knee, and instability. Suspected ACL injuries should be evaluated by your orthopedic surgeon.

Pain, swelling: The majority of ACL tears are noncontact injuries. The classic history is when a person plants and twists a leg, or rapidly changes directions and then hears or feels a pop in the knee. Initial pain tends to be severe, but in some, only lasts a few minutes. Swelling tends to occur within the first hour and most limp for days to weeks. The knee then often gives out or buckles, signs of instability.