Learn about ACL, knee injury risks for female athletes


Both men and women suffer from many types of knee pain, but female athletes are treated for tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) more than twice as often as men.

“The Female Athlete: ACL and Other Knee Injuries” talk will be 7 p.m. Thursday, May 10 at the Baptist East/Milestone Wellness Center, 750 Cypress Station Drive. The free talk is part of the Welcome to Wellness health series.

Physical Therapist Dennis Higdon and an orthopedic surgeon will focus on women’s ACL injuries and share who is at risk, the causes and solutions for preventing ACL tears and other types of knee injury.

ACL tears often occur after a strong blow to the side of the knee or simply a quick stop or direction change. Sports in which ACL injuries most commonly occur are skiing, soccer, and basketball.

The cause of women’s ACL injuries is not completely understood, but may be attributed to difference in anatomy or muscle function. Learning the proper techniques for reducing stress on the ACL is important for prevention.

For more information, or to register for the free session, call the Baptist Hospital East Information Center at (502) 897-8131.