Jumping versus nonjumping anterior cruciate ligament injuries: a comparison of pathology.

Objective: To compare pathology in knees with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury as a result of a jumping mechanism with knees injured from a nonjumping mechanism.

Design: This was a prospective study of 263 consecutive patients with a complete ACL tear and no subsequent giving way episodes nor reinjuries prior to undergoing an ACL reconstruction. The patients were placed into one of two groups: those with knees injured as a result of a jumping injury, and those with knees injured as a result of a nonjumping injury.