There’s a lot to love about summer—longer days, warmer weather, and the return of outdoor sports. But as activity ramps up, so does the risk for certain injuries, especially tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Whether you're gearing up for a weekend tournament or joining a trail running group, it's important to know how summer sports can affect your knees.

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.

As Dr. William Sterett, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery in the athletic community of Vail, Colorado, I’ve worked closely with countless female athletes. One question that’s come up more frequently in recent years is this: Does my menstrual cycle affect my risk of tearing my ACL?

The short answer is yes—there is growing evidence that hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle can influence ligament laxity and neuromuscular control, which in turn may increase the risk of ACL injury during specific phases.

A suspected ACL injury comes with a feeling of uncertainty, along with many questions. Did I tear it? Will I need surgery? How long will I be out of commission? Here, we will address some of the most common questions Dr. Sterett receives about ACL tears, including symptoms, treatment options, and recovery expectations.

ACL tears are one of the most common injuries in soccer. In fact, studies have shown that female soccer players are 4-5 times more likely to suffer an ACL tear than their male counterparts.

Learn why females have a higher risk of ACL injuries, along with recommended prevention strategies by Dr. Sterett, the leading expert in female ACL reconstruction.

Studies have indicated that women tend to land with different mechanics than their male counterparts. This has proven to be a factor in the high rate of ACL tears among our female athletes.