ACL injuries can impact kids and teens, just as much as (or more than) professional athletes.Ligaments are tough, non-stretchable fibers that hold bones together. The ACL is the ligament that connects the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) inside the knee joint. Your ACL, along with the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and menisci (cartilage), helps keep the knee stable and also helps protect the knee from shifting, rotating, and hyper-extending during running, jumping, or landing. ACL tears can occur from forceful contact to the front or outer part of the knee or from the knee twisting or hyper-extending. An ACL tear is usually associated with sudden knee pain and a sense of the knee giving way. ACL injuries can impact kids and teens, just as much as (or more than) professional athletes. In fact, girls are far more susceptible to these injuries than boys. What are some ways parents and coaches can help prevent these injuries in youth? Cynthia LaBella, MD, discusses ACL injuries, their symptoms and treatment options.