Anterior cruciate ligament injury in female athletes: epidemiology (original) (raw)

1999, Journal of Athletic Training

Objective: To present epidemiologic studies on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in female athletes. Data Sources: MEDLINE was searched from 1978 to 1998 with the terms "anterior cruciate ligament" and "female athlete," among others. Additional sources were knowledge base and oral, didactic, and video presentations. Data Synthesis: Epidemiologic studies have focused on level of participation, specific sports, sex differences and contributing factors, injury mechanism, prevention programs, Although the medial collateral ligament is the most commonly injured ligament, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most frequently injured single ligament associated with limited range of motion.1-3 In 1985, it was estimated that 50000 knee surgeries were performed each year in the United States.4 One study showed an incidence of 60 knee ligament injuries per 100000 health members per plan year.1 Males accounted for 72% and females for 28%; 65% of the injuries occurred during sports activities. The true incidence of noncontact ACL injuries and the actual numbers of athletes affected are difficult to determine; determination would require following a large number of athletes participating on different levels over several seasons. In studying the incidence of this injury, the numerator is the number of ACL tears, and the denominator can be, for example, the number of athletic exposures (ie, number of hours of practices and games) or the number of participants. For valid comparisons of statistically significant numbers, epidemiologic studies must involve a large number of subjects over an appropriate number of years. Epidemiologic studies have focused on level of participation,5-23 specific sports,* sex differences and contributing factors, injury mechanism, prevention programs,26-34 and outcomes studies.3'35-49 A significantly increased risk of noncontact ACL injury has been noted in female soccer and basketball athletes when compared with male athletes in the same sports.'3"19 I believe that appropriate intervention programs can reduce these alarming rates and allow female athletes to participate with less risk of ACL injury. In this paper, the and outcomes studies. Female athletes have a significantly increased risk of noncontact ACL injuries over male athletes in soccer and basketball. ConclusionslRecommendations: I believe that appropriate intervention programs can reduce these alarming rates of ACL injuries.