Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: Beyond the Ligament- A Neurophysiological Perspective

Abstract

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is not merely a passive stabilizer of the knee, yet its injuries are still commonly treated as a mechanical problem despite growing evidence implicating the central nervous system (CNS). This mini review highlights the ACL as a critical sensory organ, housing mechanoreceptors that provide afferent feedback regarding the knee position. We further examine evidence across peripheral, cortical, and supraspinal levels to characterize CNS involvement in ACL injury.