There are many factors that can contribute to an individual developing an ACL tear, including but not limited to gender, occupation, age, body mass index (BMI), the player’s genetic makeup, as well as high-intense sport or activity. These risk factors have been researched and have been shown to increase one’s chances of developing an acl tear el segundo by up to 20% in comparison with no risk factors.
Here are some of the common risk factors for ACL tear.
- Being female
ACL tearing in females is 3-4 times more common than men. This is because women have a smaller muscle mass in their legs and a shorter thigh while men have an overall larger muscle mass. That means that a women’s ACL is more vulnerable to strain and is more likely to have an ACL tear.
- Playing soccer, football, or basketball
Sports that require turning, cutting, jumping, and a lot of sudden stops are at a higher risk for ACL tearing. For example, people playing soccer, football, and basketball are more likely to tear their ACL than people playing rugby. This is because, in soccer and basketball, the players might have to change directions quickly and stop abruptly, which puts a lot of strain on the ACL.
- Participating in gymnastics or downhill skiing
Being at the top of a ski jump or doing a flip in gymnastics requires landing after flipping. If you land wrong, the pressure on the knee could cause an ACL tear. That is the reason for the higher rate of ACL tears in gymnastics and downhill skiing.
- Insufficient conditioning
People who are not in shape are more likely to sustain an ACL tear. This is because people who are in shape have more muscular strength, which provides them with a stronger knee joint that can be able to hold their body weight and prevent the knees from twisting too far upon landing.
- Wearing improperly fitted footwear
When people wear shoes without adequate support, the pressure on the arches of their feet can cause the knees to hyperextend or twist. And when this happens it is more likely to cause an ACL tear.
- Playing on artificial turf
When playing on artificial turf, an individual’s knees may not be able to deal with the impact of running or turning. So, you are more likely to get an ACL tear if you play on artificial turf. However, playing on natural grass may not be as risky for the ACL.
