Getting older usually results in decreased output of synovial substance in joints. In addition, the articular cartilage gets thinner with age and suspensory ligaments lessen and shed some of their flexibility. Anterior cruciate ligament injury varies considerably from one individual to another, and is typically subject to genetics and also wear and tear. Although degenerative changes in joints can start in men and women as young as 20 years old, many do not occur until much later. In fact, by age 80, just about everyone grows some type of acl damage.

Males likewise commonly acquire acl injury resulting from bad posture, insufficient physical exercise and most of all, weight problems. Actually, girls have the same or even bigger chances of becoming at risk for anterior cruciate ligament injury compared to guys, especially those women who have poor muscle management, dexterity and balance. In addition, ladies who live an inactive life often have less hip as well as knee flexion, the range of motion becomes reduced and because of those, the leg muscle gets weak and finally, degenerative changes sets in rather early.

Joint mobility can be be also affected by the body's hormones as they are those in charge of keeping the flexibleness of the fibro-cartilage. Post-menopausal women are also more prone to anterior cruciate ligament injury because the the body's hormones sustaining the elasticity of the ligaments tend to be reduced or missing.

Disuse of joint may also bring about restriction of movement in old people struggling with anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Because older people tend to favor movements that do not result in too much pain or discomfort, extented disuse of a part of the body may result in limited motion because of reduced amount of joint fluid, reduced flexibility of ligaments as well as muscles, and from muscular atrophy. This is apparent in seen reduction in size or wasting away of a part of the body or of its muscle tissue.

Doctors usually recommend a series of therapy for old people struggling with acl injury which range from the simplest which is walking, moving around to loosen the tightness of the muscle mass, down to the more serious cases that warrants surgery. Observance of a proper diet low in uric acid, plus a healthy balance of carbohydrates, fats and vegetables, added with a daily dose of vitamin rich food to maintain the nerve tissues is also recommended to prevent deficiencies and so as not to complicate the injury some more.

That is not to say that a healthy and a happy perspective in life goes quite a distance for older people. After all, a minor immobilization due to anterior cruciate ligament injury should not be viewed as a overall devastation for an old person who looks forward to having a quality life, despite old age.