Hegg Memorial Health Center recently issued the following announcement.
Hegg Wellness & Rehabilitation is excited to introduce a new class that emphasizes injury prevention of the lower extremity, particularly of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL serves an important role in the stabilization of the knee by resisting forward movement of the distal lower leg and rotational forces. Most ACL injuries occur from a noncontact mechanism when cutting or changing direction but can also be injured due to contact with a direct force to the knee. Each year, about 200,000 people injure their ACL in the United States alone. These injuries are most common in young individuals who participate in sports where they need to quickly change speeds by cutting, pivoting, or decelerating, as well as jumping.4 Standard of care following a rupture of the ACL is usually reconstructive surgery where typical recovery length before return to sports is at least 9-12 months after surgery that involves intensive rehabilitation prior to clearance. Let’s dive into the statistics on the ACL injury, and talk about why Hegg Wellness & Rehabilitation can reduce the likelihood of sustaining an ACL injury.
- Females are anywhere from 2-8 times more likely than males to sustain an ACL injury depending on the source.1,3,4
- Depending on the source, only 35% or 55% of athletes returned to their same preinjury level of activity/sport after surgery following an ACL injury.1,2
- Re-rupture rates following ACL reconstructive ranges from 3-22% on the involved limb and 3-24% on the uninvolved limb within the first 5 years after surgery.1
- Evidence suggests benefits of an ACL prevention program to reduce the risk of LE injuries, particularly to the ACL.
- According to Silvers-Granelli et al., a 20 minute dynamic warm-up/injury prevention program that was completed 2-3 times per week during Division I and II male soccer players season helped reduce ACL injury rates by 77% when completed prior to their soccer games and practice.
- According to Gilchrist et al., a 30 minute program that was completed 3 times per week during 12-week regular soccer season for Division I female soccer players reported a 40% decrease in all ACL injuries and 70% decrease in non-contact injuries.
- Key components to a successful ACL prevention program/warm-up includes the following:4,6
- Performed at least 2-3 times per week that lasts 20-30 minutes
- Needs to include:
- dynamic balance and strength with emphasis on proximal control exercises
- sport-specific activities that includes plyometrics, running, cutting/pivoting drills
- Start program in the preseason and continue performing throughout the regular season
- Program should last no fewer than 6 weeks
Original source can be found here.
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