Verified Document

Anterior Cruciate Ligament, Or ACL, Research Paper

Researchers believe that incorporating evidence-based prevention methods can decrease the incidence of ACL ruptures, but an understanding of the etiology and mechanisms of sports injury are a necessary to do this (Posthumus, 2009). The highest prevalence of extrinsic ACL injuries tends to occur in organized sports especially adolescents participating in pivoting type sports such as football, basketball, and team handball (Bahr & Krosshaug, 2005). In addition to any intrinsic factors and adolescent may have, or predisposing factors, environmental factors surrounding organized sports can also play a role in injury. For example, weather conditions (slippery surface), type of surface sport is played on (grass vs. pavement), proper footwear, and protective bracing (Posthumus, 2009).

A growing concern regarding these injuries and the populations that incur them is that these injuries increase the risk of osteoarthritis (Bahr & Krosshaug, 2005). In fact, after ten years, around half of all people that have suffered from an ACL injury show signs of osteoarthritis, and studies show that almost all of these ACL injury sufferers will have osteoarthritis after 15-20 years irrespective of treatment choice (Bahr & Krosshaug, 2005). In preventing osteoarthritis, having good muscle function is key, but it isn't understood very well if reconstructive surgery to repair muscle function is helpful (Ageberg et al., 2008).

III. CARING for, and INJURY PREVENTION in the ACL

There are many intervention programs that are being used in an attempt to reduce the risk of ACL injuries most of which are geared toward addressing neuromuscular function (Grindstaff et al. 2006). For example, plyometrics, strength training, balance training, core training, and stretching are all techniques that are being used to better train the body for sport on muscular strength and neuromuscular level in order to enhance technique with great success (Grindstaff et al., 2006). These training techniques also improve agility and increase awareness of foot and body placement, and positioning, specific to the sport being played (Bahr & Krosshaug, 2005). However, limited knowledge of injury causation inhibits knowing exactly which training component is the most important in preventing knee and ankle injuries (Bahr & Krosshaug, 2005).

IV. CONCLUSION

In...

Prevention isn't only about avoiding the high costs of surgery and associated medical costs, it is also about preventing time lost in recovery and away from activities that a person loves, as well as being able to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
In addition to understanding potential risk factors, it is also important to understand the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system of the athlete who is performing the sport, and the biomechanical demands of the sport (Bahr & Krosshaug, 2005). The factors involved in the athletic event that correlates with the injury needs to be assessed in detail with regards to playing situation, the athlete, the actions of the opponents in the play (Bahr & Krosshaug, 2005). Along with this, an analysis of the body and joint mechanics that preceded the event and were involved in the event at the time of injury occurrence also needs to be evaluated (Bahr & Krosshaug, 2005). In summary, a combination of further scientific studies, good reporting and analysis of injury events and their occurrence will be invaluable to improving injury prevention, and knowing which prevention techniques are best given a set of risk factors, whether they be predisposing risk factors, or extrinsic risk factors.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Ageberg, E., Thombe, R., Neeter, C., Gravare Silbernagel, K., Roos, EM. Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Treated With Training and Surgical Reconstruction or Training Only: A Two to Five-Year Followup. Arthritis Care & Research. 2008; 59(12):1773-79.

Bahr, R., Krosshaug, T. Understanding injury mechanisms: a key component of preventing injuries in sport. Br J. Sports Med. 2005; 39:324 -- 329.

Grindstaff, TL., Hammill, RR., Tuzson, AE., Hertel, J. Neuromuscular Control Training Programs and Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Rates in Female Athletes: A Numbers-Needed-to-Treat Analysis. Journal of Athletic Training. 2006; 41(4):450 -- 456.

Health Information Publications (2011). What is the anterior cruciate ligament? eHealthMD retrieved from http://ehealthmd.com

Netter, FH. Atlas of Human Anatomy.…

Sources used in this document:
REFERENCES

Ageberg, E., Thombe, R., Neeter, C., Gravare Silbernagel, K., Roos, EM. Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Treated With Training and Surgical Reconstruction or Training Only: A Two to Five-Year Followup. Arthritis Care & Research. 2008; 59(12):1773-79.

Bahr, R., Krosshaug, T. Understanding injury mechanisms: a key component of preventing injuries in sport. Br J. Sports Med. 2005; 39:324 -- 329.

Grindstaff, TL., Hammill, RR., Tuzson, AE., Hertel, J. Neuromuscular Control Training Programs and Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Rates in Female Athletes: A Numbers-Needed-to-Treat Analysis. Journal of Athletic Training. 2006; 41(4):450 -- 456.

Health Information Publications (2011). What is the anterior cruciate ligament? eHealthMD retrieved from http://ehealthmd.com
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

ACL Tears and Rehabilitation
Words: 2661 Length: 9 Document Type: Research Paper

The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments allow for flexion and extension of the knee. Tears of these ligaments are a common result of sudden movements that cause strain. Injury can occur from sudden stops or from trauma to the knee as a result of sports activities. When the tear is severe, surgery is often needed. Rehabilitation and exercises to retain mobility of the joint and to preserver strength prior to

Arnold, T., & Shelbourne, K.
Words: 2152 Length: 8 Document Type: Annotated Bibliography

. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 35(3), 384-394. 2 groups of 70 patients with patellar tendon and hamstring tendon autografts were assessed 2 years following surgery. No significant differences were noted in terms of activity, although more patients in the PT group experienced pain and loss of motion for a longer span of time than did patients in the hamstring tendon group. On the whole, patients with hamstring tendon

Rehabilitation for Meniscus Tear
Words: 2650 Length: 9 Document Type: Literature Review

Literature Review on PT for Knee InjuriesIntroductionKnee injuries are extremely common, especially among athletes who participate in high-impact sports. The knee is a complex joint that is responsible for bearing a significant amount of weight and stress, which makes it susceptible to injury. Physical therapy is an effective treatment for knee injuries that can help to relieve pain, increase range of motion, and improve function. A physical therapist will design

How Greg Acquired MRSA
Words: 650 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

How Greg Acquired MRSA Greg had always been an active person, and while playing soccer with some of his friends in the spring of 2016, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. Greg got into contact with one of the players, which resulted in him making sidestepping maneuvers because of the pain he was experiencing. Upon admission, it was noted that Greg was experiencing pain and swelling

Sports Science and Sports Medicine- an Overview
Words: 2436 Length: 9 Document Type: Term Paper

Sports Science and Sports Medicine- An Overview This is a paper about "Sports Science and Sports Medicine." 6 sources are given. (Harvard style) Sports/exercise science and medicine are fields that have only recently begun consolidating into distinct professions. They are both interrelated, the former being more of an investigative and experimental area while the latter deals with the implementation of the knowledge and techniques developed by sports science. They are still in the

Gender in Sports in the
Words: 1857 Length: 6 Document Type: Research Paper

Ironically, as we have seen, we live in a capitalistic society. A sometimes unwilling engine of this equity has been revenue generating sports. What will be absolutely necessary will be the demand of female consumers who will vote with their wallets in favor of equity. However, they will only do so if they are properly educated. The portrayal of women as equal partners of women in society appears to

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now