Who is most at risk for ACL tears?

According to research, an ACL tear is one acute injury that female athletes are two to eight times more likely to experience than males. The ACL, a ligament in the knee that connects the femur to the tibia, is extraordinarily strong, yet has little elasticity, Dr. Gardner says.

Which groups of athletes are at a higher risk of ACL injuries?

Research shows female athletes are more prone to certain injuries, most strikingly ACL injuries.

What is the number 1 cause of an ACL tear?

The most common mechanism is that of a sudden pivoting or cutting maneuver during sporting activity, which is commonly seen in football, basketball and soccer. The ligament can also tear due to work injuries or automobile accidents. At the time of the injury, a “pop” or “snap” can sometimes be felt or heard.

What are risk factors for torn ACL?

Causes of ACL Tears

It often occurs: As a result of cutting or pivoting maneuvers, when an athlete plants a foot and suddenly shifts direction. When a person lands on one leg, such as when jumping in volleyball or basketball. When the knee is hit directly, especially when it is hyper-extended or bent slightly inward.

Why are some people more likely to get an ACL tear?

Athletes who play soccer, football, tennis, basketball, gymnastics or volleyball are more likely to tear their ACL. Basketball and volleyball players are more at risk from an ACL tear incurred by landing awkwardly from a jump. And football players often injure their ACL during a low tackle below their waist.

Who is at Risk

What are the 3 main reasons ACL occurs?

ACL injuries often happen during sports and fitness activities that can put stress on the knee: Suddenly slowing down and changing direction (cutting) Pivoting with your foot firmly planted. Landing awkwardly from a jump.

Which sport has the highest ACL tear rate?

Nationally, athletes are most likely to injure their ACL playing soccer than any other sport. “Soccer players cannot predictably plant their foot because they're getting jostled by an opponent while turning for the ball. A mis-planted foot can lead to an ACL tear,” says Dr.

Can ACL tear be avoided?

Exercise All Year Round

You can prevent many ACL injuries by keeping the muscles surrounding your knees strong and flexible with a consistent workout routine. Exercise helps us keep in shape, improve our balance, and be aware of our bodies.

How likely is it to tear an ACL?

The ACL is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee. The annual reported incidence in the United States alone is approximately 1 in 3500 people.

How common is it to tear an ACL?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is an important stabilizing ligament of the knee that is frequently injured by athletes and trauma victims. There are between 100,000 and 200,000 ACL ruptures per year in the United States alone [1-3].

Can you tear your ACL easily?

The ACL is particularly vulnerable to injury during athletic activity or as the result of impact, and a torn ACL is a common injury in athletes of all levels. It is especially common in sports with a lot of leg planting, cutting and pivoting, such as soccer, basketball, skiing and football.

Will my knee ever be the same after ACL surgery?

In some patients, their knee is not the same. In some patients, ten years later their knee is not the same. Some people do very well with ACL reconstruction surgery, some do very well with second or revision ACL surgery. Some do well with the third ACL reconstruction/revision surgery.

Is ACL tear traumatic or overuse?

ACL tears occur from an acute trauma not from overuse or overtraining. The most common mechanism is twisting of the body on a planted or highly loaded foot, deceleration or landing. In skiing, it's twisting of the knee when the ski gets stuck and often the bindings don't release.

Can you tear ACL from overuse?

In most cases, it's the tibia (leg bone) that is affected—meaning, the ACL rips by breaking (fracturing) a piece of bone from where it attaches to the shinbone. This is usually the result of excessive overuse and muscular contraction during sports.

Do you ever fully recover from a torn ACL?

Can ACL tears be cured? With time, surgery and physical therapy, you should regain full use of your knee within six to nine months.

Can a knee brace prevent ACL injury?

Some studies suggest that braces can reduce the strain on the ACL during certain movements, which may mean they can prevent ACL tears.

How did Tom Brady tear his ACL?

The season-ending ACL injury that Tom Brady suffered in 2008 was no laughing matter, but the 44-year-old now can joke about it. As many New England Patriots remember, Brady hurt his knee while being tackled by Kansas City Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard during the 2008 season opener.

Should or should not get ACL surgery?

If your knee is unstable, surgery is usually recommended. If your knee is stable, nonsurgical options may suffice. Other determining factors include: Return to activities: If you must return to sports or other activities that require pivoting or sharp movements, ACL reconstruction surgery is usually recommended.

What is the fastest ACL recovery time ever?

An ACL tear recovery time is generally eight to nine months, though some people may recover in six months.

What famous athletes had ACL surgery?

An ACL injury is one of the biggest setbacks a professional athlete can have. Klay Thompson, Tom Brady, Megan Rapinoe, Kyle Lowry have all torn their ACL. They all battled back from their injuries and were able to compete at the highest level of their sports.

What percent of high school athletes tear their ACL?

Percentage of ACL injuries requiring surgery by sport:

Boys' basketball: 85 percent. Softball: 80 percent. Girls' basketball: 70 percent.

When is ACL at its weakest?

It's important to remember that, during the first 4-12 weeks after your surgery, your ACL graft is at its weakest point in the recovery process, since the graft requires time to grow and adapt to the bone and tendon.

What are 2 signs and symptoms of an ACL tear?

How do you strengthen your ACL?

Is ACL reconstruction worth it?

ACL reconstruction is generally recommended if: You're an athlete and want to continue in your sport, especially if the sport involves jumping, cutting or pivoting. More than one ligament is injured. You have a torn meniscus that requires repair.