Sex specific considerations in anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the female athlete: State of the art

J ISAKOS. 2024 Dec;9(6):100325. doi: 10.1016/j.jisako.2024.100325. Epub 2024 Sep 27.

Abstract

The increased participation of females in sports has been accompanied by an increase in the rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. The literature has identified risk factors for noncontact ACL injuries in female athletes, including anatomic, hormonal, biomechanical, neuromuscular, and environmental factors. This review will provide an overview of sex-specific considerations when managing female athletes with ACL injuries. A discussion of sex-specific surgical and rehabilitative treatment strategies with the goal of optimizing return to sport after ACL reconstruction will be emphasized.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries* / surgery
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / methods
  • Athletes
  • Athletic Injuries* / epidemiology
  • Athletic Injuries* / surgery
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Knee Injuries / surgery
  • Return to Sport
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors