Anterior cruciate ligament rupture in skiing

Abstract

Between January 1981 and March 1985, the author examined and treated 13 skiers who suffered ACL rupture of their knees in a characteristic but previously undescribed fashion. Injury is caused by a combination of passive and active loads applied to the ACL. Ultimate failure of the ACL is produced by violent quadriceps contraction to recover from an out of control sitting- back posture or to gain control after landing a jump. The injury is exclusive to expert skiers and there is no binding release. Combined loading of the ACL in skiing is exceedingly dangerous.