Top Tips For ACL Prevention in Philadelphia

Are you, or is someone you love, actively involved in sports which require running, jumping, and pivoting? Have you heard about the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and wondered what steps you could take to avoid a torn ACL? Whether you are actively involved in sports yourself or you just want to be able to advise and look out for a loved one, there are important steps for

ACL prevention in Philadelphia that you can take. At

Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, we know the importance of taking positive steps toward preventing sports injuries, and so we want to share our top tips with athletes and their families today.

ACL injuries may occur from either a direct blow to the knee or from non-contact planting and pivoting with a bent knee. Although you cannot completely eliminate the risk of an ACL injury when you are an active athlete, there are important steps toward ACL prevention in Philadelphia that you can take to lower your risk of such an injury. These include:

• Improve Conditioning. Evaluate your conditioning routine and make sure it includes the sort of strength and stability building exercises that can help you reduce the risk of ACL injuries. These may include:

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  Aerobic conditioning

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  Plyometric exercises

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  Jump training

• Strength training

• Balance training

Focusing on all of these areas with attention to ACL injury prevention can make a big difference in reducing your overall risk.

• Strengthen Hamstrings. This muscle group in particular plays an important role in protecting the ACL. For female athletes, it is especially important to focus on both the hamstrings and the quadriceps.

• Use Proper Techniques. If your sport regularly involves jumping, it is imperative that you learn how to land properly. Improper landings which cause the knee to collapse inward are much more likely to result in an injury to the ACL.

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  Check Your Gear. Finally, if your sport involves certain equipment, such as downhill skiing, it is important to be sure that it is adjusted correctly prior to use. Seeking out professional guidance in this area can make a big difference.

Interested in learning more tips for ACL prevention in Philadelphia? Turn to an athletic trainer or sports medicine physician today. You can find both at a nearby Rothman Orthopaedic Institute office. To set up an appointment with them, contact us today at 1.800.321.9999.