ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries were once thought to be more common among kids in the fall with sports like soccer and football. But new research shows these types of injuries are occurring year-round at a rapid rate due to the growing number of kids focusing on one sport across multiple seasons.

A recent study published in Pediatrics (journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics) shows that ACL tears have increased upwards of two percent annually among kids in the U.S., ages 6 to 18 years old.

Additionally, girls are now suffering a higher rate of ACL injuries over boys due to their ever-growing participation in youth sports.

Other findings include:

• Sports that require quick cutting or weaving, along with frequent pivoting, are the riskiest for ACL tears--such as soccer, basketball, and football.
• Lack of cross-training in multiple sports, employing various muscle groups, leads to “overuse injuries” when the same sport is played over and over. This contributes to stressed and weakened ligaments that are ripe for a tear or injury.
• Athletic trainers, coaches, physicians, and parents are getting better at recognizing the signs of an ACL injury resulting in more definitive and frequent diagnoses.

ACL injuries occur when the ligament holding the knee joint together splits, pops, or tears into two pieces causing instability, sometimes inability to walk, and often great pain and discomfort.

Depending on the severity of the injury, physical therapy and sometimes surgery may be necessary.  

To prevent ACL injuries in kids, experts encourage coaches to provide ample time for stretching and warm-ups before play, and recommend that parents not permit their child to focus solely on one sport all year long.

If you have any concerns about your child suffering from an ACL injury, please contact us for an appointment.

(Courtesy of CBS News.com)

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