The ACL is unquestionably one of the most important parts of the human body that aids knee mobility, particularly for soccer players whose activity on the field requires running and changing directions.
This article will explain everything as well as all the information you need to know whether one should play soccer without an ACL.
So whether you’re a soccer player or just curious, keep reading to find out more.
What Is An Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)?
The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the key ligaments that help control the knee joint. It also connects the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia) in the human knee.
The anterior cruciate ligament is often partially or fully torn during active sport that involves sudden or swift stops and changes in direction when on the field.
The ACL is very important in soccer because it’s a game that requires a lot of running, jumping, stopovers, pullbacks, jumping, and stopping on the field.
So when players are on the field, the anterior cruciate ligament is constantly at work.
Having looked at what the anterior cruciate ligament means, the question is can you play soccer without an anterior cruciate ligament?
Professional soccer player who plays at the highest level is certainly not immune to sustaining one of the most common injuries in soccer as long as they remain in the game.
Before now anterior cruciate ligament used to be a career-threatening injury, but thankfully with the advent of tech & medicine, athletes can see light at the end of the tunnel with good medical treatment and proper rehab when they tear their cruciate ligament.
Can You Play Soccer Without An ACL?
The short answer is No.
If you ask a surgeon if you can play without an ACL, they’ll probably never agree to let you play without it, because of the excruciating pains you’ll likely go through.
To play soccer without an anterior cruciate ligament it’s certainly possible, but the reality is, it will be extremely difficult to return to a high level of the game without proper rehab and treatment of the knee.
When your ligament is damaged, to return to a more competitive level, reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament is often advised by a surgeon.
As an athlete particularly a soccer player, you shouldn’t play without an anterior cruciate ligament. However, we’ve seen one or two players who have played without an anterior cruciate ligament (Zlatan Ibrahimovic).
The AC Milan forward says he played without the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee for six months with the help of injections and painkillers every day.
He was able to play without an ACL, but that doesn’t mean the decision to go through that route didn’t come with consequences.
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Why Are Soccer Players At Risk Of ACL Injury?
Soccer players are at higher risk of ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries for a few reasons.
First, the nature of the game puts a lot of stress on the knee joint. Soccer involves a lot of sudden starts, stops, and changes in direction, which can put a lot of strain on the ACL.
Additionally, players are often required to jump and land awkwardly, which can also increase the risk of injury.
Another reason soccer players are at higher risk of ACL injuries is because of the surface they play on. Soccer is typically played on grass, which can be uneven and unpredictable.
This can increase the risk of players landing awkwardly or slipping, which can lead to ACL injuries.
Some soccer players may have a genetic predisposition to ACL injuries. This can make them more susceptible to injury even if they are not playing on an uneven surface or performing high-risk moves.
All in all, the combination of the physical demands of the game, the playing surface, and individual factors can increase the risk of ACL injuries in soccer players.
It is important for players to take proper precautions, such as wearing proper footwear and using proper technique, to reduce their risk of injury.
How Does The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear?
There are different ways the anterior cruciate ligament could tear and these include:
- Landing awkwardly
- Off balance from a jump
- Abrupt stopping and direct kick to the outside of the knee while in action.
Most importantly when the force to the outside of the knee is higher than expected it could also lead to ACL damage. So when a player damages the ligament, the tear could either be partial or full.
According to research, 10 to 27% of the ACLs are usually partial tears, which means the cruciate is still attached to the knee without total damage while the full tear comes with total damage to the cruciate.
As a matter of fact, if you damage your anterior cruciate ligament, you’ll not be advised to play either its partial or full torn cruciate ligament.
Though you could play with a partially torn ligament depending on its severity. However, the best thing to do is not to compromise and instantly get the ligament fixed through surgery to avoid more damage to the knee.
How Long Does It Take An ACL To Heal?
The healing time for an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury can vary depending on a number of factors, including the severity of the injury, the patient’s age, overall health, and the type of treatment received. In general, it can take 6-9 months for an ACL to fully heal.
Here are some key steps in the healing process for an ACL injury:
- The first step is to reduce swelling and pain in the knee. This can be achieved through a combination of rest, ice, and elevation, as well as medication and physical therapy.
- Once the swelling has subsided, the next step is to restore the range of motion and flexibility in the knee. This can be done through a series of stretching and strengthening exercises, supervised by a physical therapist.
- As the knee becomes stronger and more flexible, the focus shifts to improving balance and coordination. This can be achieved through activities such as walking, jogging, and other low-impact exercises.
In the first one or two weeks of surgery, a player is likely to go through pains and swelling. During the healing process, it’s important to rest and avoid any form of activity that will stress the knee.
While the above is one of the measures in achieving perfect healing of the ACL, going through rehabilitation is also vital. This includes walking short distances and reintroduction of strength training exercises to prepare the quadriceps muscle for work.
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Reasons You Shouldn’t Play Soccer Without An ACL
While some players have played soccer without ACL, the truth is, it is not a good idea because of the risks involved.
There are several reasons why it is not advisable to play soccer without an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament):
- The ACL is one of the main ligaments in your knee that provides stability and helps control movement. Without it, you will be more susceptible to injuries, such as sprains and tears in other ligaments or tendons in the knee.
- Playing soccer without an ACL can lead to chronic knee instability, which can cause pain and discomfort, and may eventually require surgery to repair.
- Lack of stability in the knee can also impact your ability to perform certain moves and maneuvers on the field, such as cutting, turning, and jumping, which are essential for soccer players.
- Without an ACL, you are at an increased risk of suffering a knee dislocation, which can be a serious and potentially career-ending injury.
- Recovery from ACL surgery can be lengthy and requires significant physical therapy and rehabilitation. This means that if you play soccer without an ACL, you may have to take a long break from the sport, which could affect your performance and fitness levels.
- Finally, playing soccer without an ACL is not only risky for your own health and performance, but it can also pose a danger to other players on the field.
Knee instability can cause you to lose control of your body and make accidental contact with other players, potentially leading to injuries for them as well. - Low Performance/Confidence: Playing with caution
While some soccer players will tell you they can play without an anterior cruciate ligament, the truth is it’s not always advisable to go through that kind of pain when you can get the torn ligament fixed with surgery, proper rehab, and medication.
So while undergoing surgery can be frightening for some players, the only lasting solution to returning to a standard level as a professional soccer player is to get the ACL restored bearing in mind that you’ll be sidelined for 6-9 months.
How Are Soccer ACL Injuries Diagnosed?
Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in soccer are typically diagnosed using a combination of physical examination and imaging tests.
The first step in diagnosing is for a Physio to conduct a physical examination of the knee. This may include checking for swelling, tenderness, and range of motion in the joint.
And may also ask the person to perform specific movements or tests to assess the stability of the knee and determine if the cruciate ligament is torn.
If the Physio suspects an injury based on the physical examination, they will likely order imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis.
The most commonly used imaging test for ACL injuries is an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, which can provide detailed images of the knee and the cruciate ligament.
An X-ray may also be ordered to rule out other injuries or conditions that may be causing the symptoms.
Once the diagnosis of a cruciate ligament injury has been confirmed, the physio will discuss immediate surgery.
Can You Play Soccer With A Partially Torn ACL?”
It is not recommended to play soccer with a partially torn ACL, as this can lead to further injury and potentially permanent damage to the knee.
The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is a crucial ligament in the knee that provides stability and helps with twisting and turning movements.
A partially torn ACL can cause instability in the knee, making it more vulnerable to further damage.
Do I Need An ACL To Play?
Whether or not you need an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) to play sports depends on the specific sport you are playing and your own physical abilities.
In general, the ACL is an important ligament in the knee that helps to provide stability and support, especially during activities that involve sudden changes in direction or movement.
Without an intact ACL, you may be at an increased risk of knee injuries, particularly if you are participating in sports that involve a lot of cutting, pivoting, or jumping.
Final Thought
Playing soccer without an anterior cruciate ligament is not a reasonable choice. Without it, you’d find it hard to perform at the best level.
Trying to go against your physio’s assessment puts you at risk of long time injuries.
