Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffWomen are significantly more likely to have an ACL tear than are men participating in the same sports. Women tend to have a strength imbalance, with the muscles at the front of the thigh (quadriceps) being stronger than the muscles at the back of the thigh (hamstrings). The hamstrings help prevent the shinbone from sliding too far forward. When landing from a jump, some women may land in a position that increases stress on their ACL.
- Amy E, et al. Anterior cruciate ligament tear. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/220179329-3/1059395304/1678/58.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50057-2--cesec12_907. Accessed Sept. 24, 2010.
- Friedberg RP. Anterior cruciate ligament. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept 24, 2010.
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention. American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20ACL%20Injury%2008.pdf. Accessed Sept. 24, 2010.
- The injured ACL. American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20Injured%20ACL%2008.pdf. Accessed Sept. 24, 2010.
- Pallin DJ, et al. Knee and lower leg. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1060123978&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00054-2&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00054-2--s0415&uniqId=220363422-3. Accessed Sept. 28, 2010.
- Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 29, 2010.

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