Female Athletes are More Prone to ACL Injuries

    The article Female athletes are more prone to ACL injuries was published on www.mpnnow.com and details the experience of several  Ontario, NY county female students who have torn an ACL. Specifically, this article notes that females are more likely to tear their ACLs as opposed to their male counterparts.  Dr. David C. Grimm, an orthopedic surgeon at Canandaigua Orthopedic Associates suggests that women are two to eight times more likely to sustain an ACL injury.  Grimm states that this may be due to differences between the sexes in core stability and neuromuscular control, and notes some anatomical differences; women have a wider pelvis and a different angle to the legs.  The article goes on to describe what an ACL is, treatment for an ACL tear, rehab, getting the students back on the field, and prevention.  

    As a health care provider I think it is necessary to understand the mechanism of sports related ACL tears, and that females are more susceptible to such an injury.  In addition, it is important to have knowledge regarding prevention of ACL tears.  This article notes a program called Sportsmetrics that is aimed at preventing ACL injuries using video analysis to analyze and correct an athlete's jumping mechanics.  This may be something that should be incorporated into school athletic programs.  Perhaps this program may decrease some ACL injuries, I certainly think, if I were a Medical Director at a school that this is something I should at least look into!