Physical rehabilitation and the challenge of anterior cruciate ligament injury in the physically active female

Abstract

Rehabilitation professionals facilitate healthy movement and mobility in individuals seeking to engage in physically active lifestyles. The disparate rate of injury to the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee in physically active females in comparison to males serves as an excellent example of the challenges faced by rehabilitation professionals. The surgical reconstruction of the ligament and post-surgical rehabilitation has received a great deal of attention, but far less emphasis has been placed on the etiology and prevention of this disabling injury. This article addresses the impact of increased physical activity among females on ACL injury incidence, what is known and unknown about injury risk, and the importance of identifying strategies for prevention of injury to the ACL. One example of a research program that is exploring the potential risk factors for ACL injury in the physically active female is discus. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.