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Reducing Risk in Sports: Help Prevent ACL Injuries

By Scott Sailor, USA Today High School Sports, 05/25/18, 12:00PM PDT

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An ACL injury is painful and can be detrimental due to the loss of time away from play, a lengthy rehabilitation process and potential long-term health consequences such as osteoarthritis.

Throughout March Madness, staying injury-free was likely on the minds of many of the players and coaches as their teams moved closer to championship games. Teams capitalize on peak performance during the postseason, but unfortunately, injuries, especially those to the knee, can be devastating.

The knee is the most commonly injured joint in sports, and the anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most frequently injured knee ligaments. Damage to the ACL can happen to athletes in any sport, but basketball, soccer and football players are particularly susceptible.