ACL Rupture Incidence in Females

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

A popular choice for the rehabilitation of ACL and other severe knee ligament injuries. It has metal hinges and adjustable stops...

More Details

FREE Drinks Bottle with this item on orders > £50

Mueller Hg80 Hinged Knee Brace with Kevlar

Our Price
£74.99 £69.99

#1 SELLING KNEE BRACE!Our best selling sports and skiing knee brace. Great for the treatment of knee ligament injuries...

More Details

FREE Drinks Bottle with this item on orders > £50

Donjoy Drytex Playmaker Knee Brace

Our Price
£174.99

FOR SPORT & REHAB!Superb sports and skiing hinged knee brace for ACL knee ligament injuries and cartilage tears. Has...

More Details

---

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

Donjoy Armor with Fourcepoint Knee Brace

Our Price
£409.99

THE BEST THERE IS!ULTIMATE ACL protection - ideal for ACL rehabilitation, sports use and skiing. Delivers an...

More Details

---

Top of Page

Ice Packs & Compression

PhysioRoom.com Instant Ice Pack

Our Price

  1+ £1.99
  6+ £1.19
12+ £0.99
24+ £0.80

SAVE UP TO 60%! A mouldable pack that becomes an instant therapeutic ice pack, without the need for refrigeration....

More Details

Mueller Reusable Cold/Hot Therapy Wrap (Large)

Our Price
£24.99

15cm x 22.5cm fabric wrap with adjustable flaps, used to secure two supplied ice / heat packs in place. ...

More Details

FREE Drinks Bottle with this item on orders > £50

Aircast Knee Cryo/Cuff with Cooler

Our Price
£139.99 £99.99

The ultimate knee ice therapy device; provides continuous cold and compression to minimise bleeding, swelling and pain. ...

More Details

---

Top of Page

ACL Rehabilitation Kit

PhysioRoom.com Swiss Ball Pump

Our Price
£4.99

Superb value Swiss Ball pump used to inflate PhysioRoom
.com Swiss Balls. ...

More Details

Wooden Wobble Board

Our Price
£39.99 £29.99

A very robust 35cm diameter wooden Wobble Board with an anti-slip top. Tilts around a full 360 degrees for the ultimate balance...

More Details

AquaJogger 100 Floatation Belt

Our Price
£39.99 £26.99

A floatation belt that allows an early return to activity in the swimming pool. Early non weight bearing cardiovascular...

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

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 2001-2008. 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 most major credit/debits cards

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

Sports Injury & Physiotherapy Search Marketing by Epiphany.