Reading about sports players tearing their anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL is nothing new. We’ve all seen the headlines or known someone who has had this type of injury. But do you know how ACL tears happen and how you could avoid one?
ACL tears are common in professional and recreational sports, here are a few articles about how these injuries can impact a player:
- Baltimore Ravens Lose David Reed To ACL Tear – This NFL Kick Returner tore his ACL in a win against the Cleveland Browns.
- Adrian Peterson Suffered A Torn ACL – In a meaningless week 16 game and now his 2012 status is up in the air. Peterson tore both the ACL and MCL in his knee in a win over Cleveland.
- Collegiate Wide Receiver Ryan Broyles Tore His ACL – His injury will end his senior season at Oklahoma University. Now his status in the upcoming 2012 NFL draft is in question.
Injury Prevention is Key
It’s incredible how you can play a sport for so many years before sustaining an injury. That is why injury prevention is important for every player in any sport. There are many ways to prevent injury, including stretching, balance training, core muscle stability and working on your flexibility which are discussed in the two articles below.
More Evidence Supporting Injury Prevention Training: Cost …
—We have been especially concerned about preventing non-contact injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in female players. An ACL tear can be personally devastating to the athlete and result in significant financial …
Phys Ed: Preventing ACL Injuries in Girls – NYTimes.com
— The study grew out of the researchers’ ongoing, large-scale examination of ACL–tear risk factors, which had enrolled hundreds of young, female athletes, measured and monitored them, and assigned some to prevention …
Our message for today is to be proactive and listen to your body. You don’t have to play like you’re in the Super Bowl or World Cup finals all the time- give your body rest and ensure that you are taking care of your body. Your body is like a machine, if it’s well maintained and oiled, it will last longer without breaking down. If you do sustain an injury, always seek professional medical assistance. If you do have an ACL tear or injury, physical therapy may benefit you. Contact the professionals at Momentum Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab to set up an appointment today!
