How Does a Torn ACL Impact Your Walking Capabilities?

Reviewed by Tomas Diaz, MD

Emergency Medicine

A torn ACL makes walking feel uneven and unstable, often causing changes in leg movement such as shortened strides or limping.

Explanation

A torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reduces your knee's stability and support. As a result, the surrounding muscles must work harder to maintain balance. This injury often changes your walking pattern—you might take shorter steps or avoid fully bending your knee. These adjustments typically cause uneven movement between your legs, affecting your normal walking stride. While surgery and/or physical therapy can treat ACL injuries, some people may still walk differently even after successful treatment. This happens because the body naturally protects the knee by using other muscles to help maintain balance. With time and physical therapy, you can rebuild leg strength and balance, helping your body return to more natural movement patterns.

(References)

Gardinier ES, Manal K, Buchanan TS, Snyder-Mackler L. Gait and neuromuscular asymmetries after acute anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2012 Aug;44(8):1490-6. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31824d2783. PMID: 22330021; PMCID: PMC3399054.
Noehren B, Wilson H, Miller C, Lattermann C. Long-term gait deviations in anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed females. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2013 Jul;45(7):1340-7. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e318285c6b6. PMID: 23568090; PMCID: PMC4313379.
Yoo H, Marappa-Ganeshan R. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Knee Anterior Cruciate Ligament. [Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559233/

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