As Dr. William Sterett, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery in the mountain town of Vail, Colorado, I’ve treated thousands of ACL injuries over the course of my career. While some ACL tears are due to unavoidable factors—like genetics or bad luck—others are the result of habits and movement patterns that can absolutely be changed.

The good news? These are behaviors you can control. Let’s look at three common actions or choices that put your ACL at risk—and what you can do to protect your knees before injury strikes.

I am dedicated to helping ski enthusiasts enjoy their time on the slopes without the risk of debilitating shoulder injuries. A proactive approach that encompasses both pre-skiing preparations and on-slope techniques is my top recommendation for shoulder injury prevention.

The journey back to sports after such a procedure is a careful and gradual process, and as we step into 2024 I want patients and athletes to have the information needed for a safe, successful recovery.

Here’s how to recognize the symptoms of a tear in the ACL and your treatment options for this injury.

Here’s what to know about your ACL graft options and which one is best for your lifestyle!