Why Do Women Athletes Have More ACL Tears?

Female AthletesKnee InjuriesOrthopedic Surgery
Written By Dr. William Sterett, M.D.

Women face a higher risk of ACL tears. So what can we do about it?

The fact that women are more prone to ACL tears and other injuries has gotten a lot of play in the past few years. But it's not just hype. The fact is, female athletes are in fact more likely to incur major injuries to the knee, especially while playing major sports such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, and alpine skiing. (For more on the science on this click here).

“Compared to males, females execute high demand activities in a more erect posture, potentially predisposing the anterior cruciate ligament to greater loads and injury.”

I recently created a website, The Female ACL, which outlines some of the unique risk factors that women face when it comes to knee injuries, as well as how we can attempt to combat these injuries by adjusting techniques when it comes to running and jumping. 

The Female ACL

If you are interested in this topic, take a look at the first video in the series below. Part 2 and 3 are available at www.thefemaleacl.com

Dr. Sterett breaks down some of the anatomical reasons that women are at a higher risk for ACL and other knee injuries

Click the video to be taken to Part 2

Click here to be taken to Part 3

Dr. William Sterett, M.D.

Dr. Bill Sterett is the Head Team Physician for the US Women’s Alpine Ski Team and has been since 1997, with athletes over the years such as Picabo Street, Kristina Koznick, Caroline LaLive, Julia Mancuso and Mikaela Shiffrin. He has served as a US Olympic Committee Team Physician for the past four Winter Olympic Games, with the US Olympic Committee entrusting the care of their athletes to Dr. Sterett in Salt Lake City, Torino, Vancouver and Sochi.

Dr. Sterett is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, a member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, a member of the Arthroscopy Association of North America, and is one of the few physicians who have earned a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine.

Dr. Sterett has published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles and has lectured regionally, nationally and internationally on hundreds of occasions over the past twenty years. He currently holds patents on orthopedic devices involved in Joint Preservation and works as a consultant to Arthrex and Biomet sports medicine companies.

Dr. Sterett started the Athletic Training Fellowship Program in Vail, Colorado, and served as its Fellowship Director for 15 years. Additionally, he has served as the Medical Director for the Eagle County School District for 14 years, making daily return-to-play decisions and treating local student athletes. Currently, he serves as the Medical Director for the Vail Valley Surgery Centers and has for the past 12 years.

http://www.drsterett.com
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