Historically, ACL injuries are most often associated with male-dominated sports – specifically football, hockey and pro basketball. But as it turns out, statistics tell a different story: Recent studies show female athletes are actually four to six times more likely to have an ACL tear compared to male athletes. The big question is, why?
There was a time not too long ago when hip surgery meant having long incisions made not only through your skin, but through the underlying large muscles as well. And that, in turn, meant a long road to recovery, not to mention significant discomfort during the recovery process.
The cartilage in the knee joint is called articular cartilage. Articular cartilage is the material that covers the ends of the bones. It acts as a shock absorber allowing the knee to move smoothly, and prevents the bones from rubbing against one another. Every year in the U.S., more than 6 million people suffer damage to the articular cartilage in their knees. If the damage is not treated, it can lead to arthritis and the need for a knee replacement.
Algonquin – Ortho Illinois and Dr. Geoffrey Van Thiel are pleased to announce the opening of their new Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Clinic in Algonquin, Illinois. Now residents and people in and around Algonquin have convenient access to prompt, high quality orthopedic and sports medicine services.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common knee injuries in athletes, especially in sports that involve a lot of pivoting and jumping, like football, soccer, basketball and tennis. Learning to recognize the symptoms associated with ACL injuries is important for making sure medical treatment begins as early as possible, before the injury has a chance to progress.
