Are Female Athletes at a Higher Risk for ACL Injuries?

While sports talk usually centers on popular male athletes suffering an ACL tear, female athletes are four to eight times more likely to suffer an ACL tear in the same sport. Find out why females are more prone to this injury, prevention tips to avoid injury, and the treatment options available.

Environmental, hormonal, and biomechanical differences between males and females are all possible factors when looking at the higher rate of ACL tears in females. Sports that contain significant cutting and jumping such as soccer, basketball, tennis, and volleyball puts females at an increased risk, particularly teens.

There are several factors involved, many young females between the ages of 14 to 18 suffer from ACL tears due to a lack of neuromuscular control during landing or cutting activities. While not entirely preventable, ACL tears can be minimized by undergoing training programs designed to address risk factors associated with them.

Should an ACL tear occur, a reconstructive surgery is usually necessary to stabilize the knee. Physical therapy is also important in the recovery process. “These types of procedures give patients a good option because it can help return them to their active lifestyle, sport, or work,” says Dr. Jefferson C. Brand, sports medicine expert at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists.

If you would like to know more about an ACL injury, call the experienced sports medicine team at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists at (320) 335-6078.