Do women really tear their ACLs more than men?
Women in sports such as soccer, basketball, tennis and volleyball are significantly more prone to a torn ACL than men. The discrepancy has been attributed to differences between the sexes in anatomy, general muscular strength, reaction time of muscle contraction and coordination, and training techniques. Hormonal causes have also been investigated although it is still unclear what role they may play in a ACL tear if any. Lastly, women have a relatively wider pelvis, requiring the femur to angle toward the knees (knock knee) which may also be a predisposing factor towards a torn ACL. How do I know if I have a torn ACL? Patients who suffer an ACL injury often report hearing an audible pop followed by significant swelling. Afterwards, patients will may complain of instability of the knee (i.e., a “wobbly” feeling) especially when try to change directions during sporting activity. Continued athletic activity on a knee with an torn ACL can have devastating consequences, resulting in massive
