The female ACL: why is it more prone to injury?

Multiple factors are responsible for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. The key factor in the gender discrepancy appears to be dynamic, not static, and proximal, not distal. However, it is the dynamic movement patterns of hip and knee position with increased flexion and a coordinated proximal muscle firing pattern to keep the body in a safe landing position that are the most critical factors. An ACL injury at an early age is a life-changing event. We can very successfully reconstruct and rehabilitate an ACL, but we cannot stop there. We must now go into the prevention arena.