ACL Injury Prevention: Canyon Park (Bothell) Physical Therapy

How Do We Prevent ACL Injuries?

At Canyon Park Physical Therapy we employ physical therapists with a strong background in sports medicine. This allows them to:

• Identify each athlete’s biomechanical weaknesses
• Create individualized and sport specific programs for each athlete
• Identify sport specific high risk motions and positions
• Focus on flexibility, strength, coordination and dynamic control
• Decrease risk of injury while enhancing athletic performance

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury:

• Each year 80,000-250,000 ACL injuries occur, 50% occurring between the ages of 15-25
• Occur in females 4-6 times more often than males
• Most common in athletes playing soccer and basketball
• Often require ACL reconstruction followed by months of rehabilitation to return to prior functional level
• After ACL injury athletes are at greater risk for re-injury along with degenerative arthritis later in life

What Causes ACL Injuries?

Research has allowed for a greater un­derstanding of the biomechanics of ACL injuries and possible causes including:

• Weakness in core, hip, knee, and ankle musculature
• Decreased control of landing
• Decreased ability to control dynamic changes in speed
• Lack of awareness of the joint position in space

Individual & Team Programs

ACL Prevention program includes:

• 2-3 weekly training sessions at Canyon Park Physical Therapy
• Assessments and initial instruction for athletes deemed “at-risk”
• Sessions and instruction for high school athletic teams, coaches, and trainers
• Assistance in continuing team or school-based ACL prevention programs that can be run by coaches, trainers, or athletes themselves

All training sessions include 12 sessions over 6 weeks:

Individual Training sessions: $300.00 per athlete

Group training sessions (2-3 athletes): $150.00 per athlete

Group training sessions (4-6 athletes): $100.00 per athlete

Injury Prevention for Youth Sports

There are roughly 38 million youth athletes in America participating in a vast number of recreational and competitive sports. Within this group strains and sprains are some of the most common injuries which can sideline an athlete for multiple games or even the season. These injuries, and others, can be prevented by an adequate warm up and stretching routine as well as proper strength and conditioning.

Stretching allows for increased muscle length allowing the muscles to adjust to growing bones and work at their peak for improved strength and power. It was previously thought static stretching was the most adequate means for improving muscle length prior to athletic involvement, but recent studies have shown a dynamic warm up is more appropriate. Dynamic warm ups slowly increase heart rate while also incorporating stretching, thus allowing for improved performance and decreased risk of injury.  

Another way to prevent athletic injury is proper strength training and conditioning. As athletes fatigue throughout a game or practice they put themselves at increased risk of injury. A strength training and conditioning program will enhance endurance and improve aerobic fitness while also enhancing motor skills allowing the athlete decreased risk of injury while performing at their best.

When young athletes are able to perform at their best without risk of injury it leads to a more fun environment and can improve self confidence as well.

By: Sarah Macomber, DPT, Certified Athletic Trainer, Therapeutic Associates Canyon Park Physical Therapy