Blair<title> <H2><B>Anterior Cruciate ligament Injuries in Female Athletes</H2></1> <H2><I>the physician and sportsmedicine</H2></I> <H4><I>Volume 25, Number 4(April 1997) <H3>Mary M. Lamb, MD</H3><BR> <H2><I>Abstract</I><H2><BR> <H4><P>One of the most common injuries in women is the Anterior Cruciate ligament(ACL). The NCAA data shows that female athletes have a higher risk of an ACL injury in sports such as basketball, soccer, and volleyball then males. most knee injuries are sprains or strains. but looking at different studies it shows that the ACL is the most commonly used ligament. Most ACL injuries are of the non contact variety. The non contact mechanisms have been identified: planting and cutting, straight knee landing, one step stop and landing with the knee hyperextended, and others can cause ACL injuries.</P> <P> The ligament is made up of two bands, the antromedian and postrolateral, and an intermediate band is some times present. The ACL runs from the postromedial portion to the antrolateral. A factor that would contribute to this ligament being injured is a imbalance of thehamstring and quadrosepts. Research indicates that women have a decreased hamstring to quad.strength ratios compared to men.</P> <P>the number in ACL injuries in females is rising. In some sports the incidents is two to four times higher in women then men. many people explain this as a simple gender difference, but there appear to be multiple intrinsic and extrinsic causes. so prevention is difficult. but leg and muscle strength is important, avoid straight knee landing, one step stop landing,and sharp planting may decrease the incidence of injury.</P> <H3><B><I>Abstract written by:Anna Blair</H3></B></I>