Athletes of all Levels and Ages Suffer ACL Injuries
Each year, at least 1 in 3,000 Americans between the ages of 14 and 55 tears an anterior cruciate ligament (commonly known as the ACL) while exercising or playing sports. The potentially disabling injury for athletes is feared in particular by skiers and basketball, soccer and football players although risk for this injury in not limited to a particular level of athlete or age group. Even though the physical cost of an ACL injury is high, a successful reconstruction surgery makes it possible for both amateur and professional athletes to get back into the action.
The ACL is one of four ligaments in the knee that connects the shinbone (tibia) to the thighbone (femur). The ACL is a stabilizer and helps prevent the shinbone from sliding forward under the thighbone. When the knee undergoes a severe twist or excessive pressure, the ACL can tear causing the knee to give out. With a ruptured ACL, the knee can feel wobbly and may be easily dislocated by sudden planting or pivoting on the leg. The ligament is like a tightly-braided rope and when torn, is not repairable, even when the tear is partial.
Physicians at Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Specialists in Greenwich treat over 200 ACL injuries each year. According to Orthopedic curgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist Dr. Paul Sethi, athletes of different levels and ages tear their ACLs for a variety of reasons. “Young athletes often put heavy demands on their bodies, many playing sports year round. Female college athletes and dancers are up to 8 times more likely to incur an ACL injury than men, due to their unique biomechanics. Baby boomers, especially weekend warriors, often do sports on an inconsistent basis with inadequate conditioning that makes them more prone to the injury.”
“Fortunately, ACL reconstruction surgery is 95 percent successful and gives patients a fully functional knee so they can return to their normal activities,” adds Dr. Sethi who operates at Greenwich Hospital. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), ACL reconstruction is recommended for individuals who want to continue to play tennis, ski or participate in other sports, or whose knee is unstable in normal daily activities like walking. Using two tiny holes and a small incision, Dr. Sethi first uses a small camera to evaluate the knee’s condition. Any existing debris is removed. Then replacement ligament tissue is threaded through the inside of the knee joint. One end is secured to the thighbone and the other to the shinbone. An ACL reconstruction makes the joint stable again, which can also prevent damage to the menisci cartilage by an unstable joint.
An estimated 100,000 ACL reconstructions are performed annually in the United States. On average, 80 percent of ONS patients with torn ACLs undergo ligament reconstruction.
Several measures may be taken to help prevent an ACL injury. Doctors strongly recommend doing appropriate conditioning if you engage in regular sports or seasonal sports. Of particular importance is developing the strength in the hamstrings and quadriceps, which includes a plyometric training program that develops explosive muscular power.