ACL Rupture Incidence in Females

1 Introduction
2 Factors that contribute to arthrofibrosis >
3 Grafting techniques >
4 Rehab following contralateral patellar tendon grafting >
5 ACL rupture incidence in females
6 ACL rehabilitation program >

Female athletes appear to suffer a higher incidence of ACL ruptures than males. What are the reasons for this?

"To answer this question, you first have to understand how and when ACL tears occur. ACL tears usually occur during competitive situations, not when the athlete is doing solo activities. Typically, the athlete is hurt when reacting to an unexpected situation. Sometimes it is when the athlete is planting his or her foot to change directions or is landing from a jump. Whatever the circumstances, the athlete mistimes the foot plant, and the forces generated across the knee joint causes the ACL to tear.

"Research has shown that women, on average, have smaller ACLs than men. Therefore, given the same forces, a smaller ACL would be more likely to tear. Interestingly, in my ACL-reconstructed patients, who all receive a 10mm wide ACL graft, there is no difference in the ACL graft tear rate between men and women after surgery, even in a group of highly competitive athletes who returned to their respective sports.

"Unfortunately, this factor of ACL size is not something that can be changed. There are many types of ACL prevention programs being recommended to female athletes. These programs involve doing agility, plyometrics, and strengthening exercises, all of which are performed in controlled situations. ACL tears, however, do not occur in controlled situations. I still perform more ACL reconstructions on men than women (70% versus 30%). If these prevention programs are effective, then they should prevent ACL tears in men as well. Any athlete, male or female, who has a small ACL is at higher risk for ACL injury than athletes with larger ACLs. It just so happens that more women than men have small ACLs."

6 ACL rehabilitation program >

Recommended Products for ACL Knee Injury & Reconstruction

ACL Knee Braces & Supports

Mueller Pro Style Hinged Knee Brace (deluxe)

Our Price
£69.99

The patented Tri-Axial adjustable hinges provide excellent protection for skiing and sports. Ideal for prevention and...

More Details

Be seen at night!
£FREE Reflective Snap Band

FREE Drinks Bottle with this item on orders > £50

Donjoy Drytex Playmaker Knee Brace

Our Price
£174.99

ACL KNEE BRACESuperb sports and skiing hinged knee brace for ACL knee ligament injuries and cartilage tears. Has...

More Details

Donjoy Armor with Fourcepoint Knee Brace

Our Price
£409.99

#1 ACL KNEE BRACEULTIMATE ACL protection - ideal for ACL rehabilitation, sports use and skiing. Delivers an...

More Details

---

Mueller Hg80 Hinged Knee Brace with Kevlar

Our Price
£74.99 £69.99

#1 SELLING KNEE BRACE!Great for the treatment of knee ligament injuries and cartilage...
 (2 reviews)

More Details

Be seen at night!
£FREE Reflective Snap Band

FREE Drinks Bottle with this item on orders > £50

Donjoy ACL Everyday Knee Brace

Our Price
£279.99

Donjoy's most comfortable, lightweight and easy to use ACL knee brace - designed for daily living and non-contact sports....

More Details

Donjoy Legend Knee Brace

Our Price
£344.99

Ideal for moderate to severe ACL and/or PCL, MCL and LCL instabilities. The Legend™ features a non-chip outer covering...

More Details

---

Top of Page

Ice Packs & Compression

PhysioRoom.com Instant Ice Pack

Our Price

  1+ £1.99
  6+ £1.49
12+ £0.99
24+ £0.50

SAVE UP TO 75%!A mouldable pack that becomes an instant ice pack, without the need for refrigeration. ...

More Details

Be seen at night!
£FREE Reflective Snap Band

PhysioRoom.com Ice Bag

Our Price
£8.99

SUPERB VALUE!Great value, reusable, fabric ice bag that can be filled with ice cubes, crushed ice or ice water....

More Details

Be seen at night!
£FREE Reflective Snap Band

Aircast Knee Cryo/Cuff (Self Contained)

Our Price
£69.99

NEW!Specialist knee ice therapy device. Fill it with ice and water to...
 (1 review)

More Details

---

Arctic Blast Ice Cooling Bandage

Our Price
£3.99

NEW!Instant cooling bandage that can be applied again and again. Suitable for the ankle, knee, thigh,...

More Details

Mueller Reusable Cold/Hot Therapy Wrap (Large)

Our Price
£29.99 £25.99

Durable fabric wrap complete with one 15cm x 22.5cm (6" x 9") reusable Hot/Cold pack. Ideal for shoulder, knee, back, thigh,...

More Details

Be seen at night!
£FREE Reflective Snap Band

FREE Drinks Bottle with this item on orders > £50

Aircast Knee Cryo/Cuff with Cooler

Our Price
£139.99 £99.99

Ultimate knee ice therapy. Provides 6 hours continuous cold and compression to minimise bleeding,...
 (2 reviews)

More Details

---

Top of Page

ACL Rehabilitation Kit

AquaJogger 100 Floatation Belt

Our Price
£39.99 £26.99

The AquaJogger 100 is a floatation belt. One particular benefit is that it allows an early return...
 (1 review)

More Details

PhysioRoom.com Swiss Ball (55cm)

Our Price
£15.99 £9.99

55cm (22") diameter Swiss Ball for people 155-165cm (5'2" - 5'6") tall. Includes FREE exercise chart. ...

More Details

Be seen at night!
£FREE Reflective Snap Band

Sirex Monica Mat

Our Price
£34.99

A durable and comfortable non-slip, red mat for Yoga, Pilates and multi-purpose exercise. Features a unique fold away design for...

More Details

---

Top of Page

• Home
• Injury Experts
• Expert Treatments

© Copyright PhysioRoom.com 2001-2009. All rights reserved. Sitemap.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
The articles on this web site are provided for general information only and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or treatment. All exercises and information featured on this web site should only be practised under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.

We accept the following payment methods

PhysioRoom.com Limited, Unit 1 & 2 Dawson Court, Billington Road, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 5UB, England

Sports Injury & Physiotherapy Search Marketing by Epiphany.