[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/09\/tips-prevent-acl-injuries\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/09\/tips-prevent-acl-injuries\/","headline":"8 Tips to Prevent ACL Injuries","name":"8 Tips to Prevent ACL Injuries","description":"When the ACL tears, your knee can become unstable and may buckle or give way. Follow these tips to stay healthy from practice to play. ","datePublished":"2016-09-08","dateModified":"2019-08-29","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","name":"Sports Medicine","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/sports-medicine\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/ACL-Injury-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/ACL-Injury-1.jpg","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/09\/tips-prevent-acl-injuries\/","about":["Sports Medicine"],"wordCount":377,"keywords":["ACL","acl exercises","athletes","injury prevention","sports medicine"],"articleBody":"The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is the main ligament that controls the movement of your shinbone (tibia) in relation to the thighbone (femur).When the ACL tears and that restraint disappears, your knee can become unstable and may buckle or give way.Whether you are an athlete, or just enjoy exercising, here are some tips from the UPMC Sports Medicine ACL Program to help prevent ACL injuries.For more information about the UPMC Sports Medicine ACL Program, or to schedule an appointment with our sports medicine experts, call 1-855-93-SPORT (77678) or visit UPMCSportsMedicine.com.      ACL Injury Prevention TipsWarm Up.\u00a0 Remember to stretch; try hamstring, quadriceps, hip flexor, and IT Band stretches.Warning Signs.\u00a0 Symptoms of an ACL injury may include an audible \u201cpop\u201d at the moment of injury.What Is It?\u00a0 ACL is an acronym for anterior cruciate ligament and is the most commonly injured knee ligament.Where Is It? The ACL runs diagonally down the middle of the knee. It helps control the motion of the knee and prevents the shinbone from sliding out in front of the thighbone.Heads Up. Sports with increased risk of ACL injury include: basketball, football, skiing, and soccer.Watch Your Step.\u00a0 ACL injuries commonly occur due to stopping suddenly, cutting to the side, or landing awkwardly.Prevention.\u00a0 ACL injury prevention programs that focus on strength, agility, and plyometric training may help reduce the risk of ACL injury.Getting Back in the Game.\u00a0 After an ACL injury, it\u2019s crucial to focus on proper technique, muscle balance, and core strength.Re-injury is the most common complication of an ACL tear. If you\u2019ve already torn your ACL and you play sports regularly, you\u2019re more likely to injure it again.Athletes are 15 times more likely than the general population to have a second ACL injury following ACL surgery. About 30 percent will re-injure their ACL within 24 months of surgery.Female athletes are especially at risk for ACL tears.Compared to male athletes, women are:Four times more likely to suffer a graft re-tear.Six times more likely to injure the other side of the ACL.To schedule an appointment with our sports medicine experts, call 1-855-93-SPORT (77678) or visit UPMCSportsMedicine.com "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2016","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"8 Tips to Prevent ACL Injuries","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/09\/tips-prevent-acl-injuries\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]