| So much has been learned about structures that are needed to allow performance and function. The anterior cruciate ligament is known as the ACL which is composed of two bundles that maintain the tibia beneath the femur. This antomical postioning iand relationship s maintained even as the knee is being extended, flexed, and rotated. With any activity that requires a twist, pivot, change of direction, lunge, decceleration, acceleration, leaping, jumping, and landing, the cruciates come into play and are needed for performance. Without ligamental stability, limitation of desired knee activity level is noted. Ligamnets can be stretched, avulsed from attachment sites, torn and ruptured completely if forces are exceed. Application of stresses either slowly or rapidly can caused different patterns of ligamtal injury patterns. With stress and forces ligaments ares stretched but with removal of these forces, the ligament returns to its norma length and strength, If thiese stresses pass the yeild point in this curve of plastic deformation of this structure, the liagement becomes incompetent due to persistant laxity or complete rupture. | 
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