Women and ACL Injuries
August 02, 2021
Female athletes tear their anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) at an alarmingly higher rate in certain sports, including basketball and soccer.
Participation in sports by girls has increased dramatically, and that impacts the number of injuries. The typical way it happens is a rapid, awkward stop and anticipation of lateral movements.
According to Mark A. Slabaugh, M.D., an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon with Orthopedics and Joint Replacement at Mercy, anatomy and hormones also play a role, and that a good prevention program can help avoid ACL tears.
"They should be working on agility, plyometrics, which is really jumping," Dr. Slabaugh said. "It's very important, especially in sports like basketball and soccer."
Dr. Slabaugh added that women who tear one ACL are at much higher risk for tearing the other one; fortunately, there are good surgical approaches for those who need it.
To view Mercy sports medicine expert and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Slabaugh’s interview regarding women and ACL injuries, click here.
About Mercy
Founded in 1874 in Downtown Baltimore by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center is a 183-licensed bed, acute care, university-affiliated teaching hospital. Mercy has been recognized as a high-performing Maryland hospital (U.S. News & World Report); has achieved an overall 5-Star quality, safety, and patient experience rating (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services); is A-rated for Hospital Safety (Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade); and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet™ hospital. Mercy Health Services is a not-for-profit health system and the parent company of Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Personal Physicians.
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