About this video
Last updated: 9 October 2026
The video says some people can get by with a torn ACL, but the ACL’s main job is to provide rotational stability to the knee. The video says the decision is a personal one. It should be made with a clear understanding of the risks and benefits.
Key points
- Without it, the knee may feel unstable or give way during everyday movements such as pivoting, getting out of a car or walking on uneven ground.
- The video says each time the knee buckles, it can cause secondary injuries to other structures, particularly the meniscus and cartilage.
- The video says the decision about surgery is a personal one and should be made with a clear understanding of the risks and benefits.
Questions this video answers
Can I live normally with a torn ACL if I do not play sport?
The video says some people get by without a working ACL. But the ACL provides rotational stability, so the knee may give way during everyday movements such as getting out of a car or walking on uneven ground. It says each episode can injure the meniscus and cartilage.
How should I decide about ACL surgery?
The video says the decision is a personal one. It should be made with a clear understanding of the risks and benefits.
