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Are ACL Injuries More Common in Women?

From the Show: Staying Well
Summary: ACL injuries are on the rise in women, and ACLs are the most common knee injury. In fact over 200,000 torn ACLs occur in the U.S. each year.
Air Date: 3/24/14
Duration: 10
Host: Melanie Cole, MS
Guest Bio: Eric L. Chehab, MD
Dr. ChehabDr. Eric Chehab is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon fellowship
trained in sports medicine. He provides general fracture care, but
specializes in the treatment of sports related injuries, in particular to the knee and shoulder. Dr. Chehab provides advanced treatments for anterior cruciate ligament injuries, shoulder injuries including rotator cuff tears and shoulder instability, and soft tissue and bone trauma.

Dr. Chehab graduated from Harvard and Stanford, and completed
his orthopaedic surgery residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City - recognized by US News and World Report as the nation’s #1 hospital for orthopaedics. He completed his advanced training in sports medicine at the Hospital for Special Surgery Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, where he apprenticed with the head team physician and the medical staff for the New York Giants.

An All-American rugby player in college and captain of the Harvard
squad, Dr. Chehab understands the commitment required to achieve at the highest level. He feels privileged to help those in their pursuit of excellence by providing the highest level of compassionate care.
Are ACL Injuries More Common in Women?
Your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four ligaments that are located in your knee to provide stability. When a quick change of direction or if part of your knee comes in contact with a hard object, or a pivot happens in your knee, your ACL can be torn.

You will know for sure if you've torn your ACL when your knee pops, swells and you feel excruciating pain. When your ACL is torn, your knee can become unstable. Surgery is an option, since there is a way to reconstructing your ACL from other tissue. This gives your knee back the stability it lost during the injury.

Is there any way to you can prevent an ACL injury from happening?

There are ACL prevention programs that teach athletes certain positions that are helpful in changing directions, positions to avoid and exercises that can be done.

Orthopedic surgeon with Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, Dr. Eric Chehab joins Melanie Cole, MS to discuss ACL injuries, prevention and treatment options for female and male athletes.