Without a normal ACL, the knee becomes unstable and can buckle, especially when the leg is planted and attempts are made to stop or turn quickly. ... I had the ball lined up to score a goal, but when I turned to kick, my foot planted deep into the grass as my body twisted in the opposite direction; it doesn't take much to "pop" the ACL, which is typically what happens when the ACL tears. ... At which time he pulled the graft through the tunnels with a tiny metal probe, and fastened it at each end with bioabsorbable screws. They look like plastic drywall screws. ...

• Word Count: 1156
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

When and athlete turns the tibia and the femur can work like scissors grinding against one another and shearing the A.C.L. ... Common places for the grafts to be taken from are the iliotibial tract, patella tendon, and hamstring, while the graph can be stapled, screwed or both. ... The bone grafts are then placed in small groves and then stabilized with screws (normally made of titanium) in the tibia and femur. ... They are reattached by either staples or screws and washer to keep the new A.C.L. stable. ...

• Word Count: 2530
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

I also learned that your parents are no longer responsible for your actions, if you really screw up one night it's consequences are all on you and nobody else. ... It was as if I wanted to go to class to make them proud, but it eventually turned out I wanted to go for myself and not to make them happy. ...

• Word Count: 838
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School