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Alan L. Hammond TennisMD News
Reviewed by the
TennisMD Medical Review Board.
Jul 25, 2010
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Knee injuries are commonplace in high impact sports like tennis.
Both Venus and Serena Williams, Lindsay Davenport, and Roger Federer have been afflicted with knee injuries. Anterior Cruciate Ligament , or ACL, injuries seem to be the most common. Although, anyone that plays tennis or other sports is at risk of an ACL injury, women appear to be the most susceptible.
There are a few contributing factors that women, in contrast to men, should be aware of when it comes to the risk of ACL injury.
- Differences in Body Make-up – Women have a wider pelvis, smaller ACL, and their knees point inward at a greater angle, (knock-knee).
- Range of Motion and Flexibility – Unlike men, women have the ability to straighten or stretch their knees to a greater degree. When the leg is straight, this increased hyper-extension ability, results in a backwards curve of the knee, which makes protecting the ACL difficult for the hamstrings.
- Differences in Muscular Strength and Power – Unless they are body builders, most women aren't as strong as men. Another factor is that females tend to use the quadriceps more for stability.
The ACL is located in a small “pocket”, and crosses the PCL, (Posterior Cruciate Ligament ), in the center of the knee. Stopping suddenly, changing direction, and using bad technique while playing tennis, can cause an ACL injury. Nothing may be felt at first, but swelling and pain when standing generally follows after 2-12 hours. If overall stability of the knee is still intact, such as with a partial tear, surgery can be avoided. Cartilage damage to the knee, and other complications can arise if diagnosis and treatment of an ACL injury is put-off or overlooked for too long.
The good news for women tennis players is that there are precautions that can lower the risk of ACL Injury . A recent study published on Medscape.com, found that neuromuscular training was one way to help decrease risk. This type of training helps to develop strength, balance, perception, and hand-eye coordination. It will improve play style, and technique, and greatly decrease the risk of twisting the wrong way, or falling.
Armed with this knowledge, along with the font of other information available, women should have a better understanding of how to lower the risk of ACL injury.
Sources: Women and Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries, Erstad, S., Green, W., Husney, A., Fu, F., McMahon, P., www.health.com, May 2008. Preventing ACL Injuries in Women, Luke, A., www.ucsfhealth.org, November 2007. Differential Neuromuscular Training Effects on ACL Injury Risk Factors in “High-risk” versus “Low-risk” Athletes, Myer, G., Ford, K., Brent, J., Hewett, T., www.medscape.com, July 2007.
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