RT Journal
T1 Warrior girls: Protecting our daughters against the injury epidemic in women’s sports
JF Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
JO Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
YR 2009
FD October 5
VO 163
IS 10
SP 964
OP 964
DO 10.1001/archpediatrics.2009.175
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpediatrics.2009.175
AB 
As a practitioner in pediatric and adolescent sports medicine over the last 25 years, I can confirm that Sokolove has correctly identified a number of important medical concerns as well as some worrisome trends. With greater numbers of female participants in organized sports and increasing intensity of play, there are increasing numbers of injuries. Anterior cruciate ligament tears are one of the most common injuries affecting females in running and jumping sports such as soccer and basketball. Anterior cruciate ligament tears occur up to 8 times more commonly in females than males in comparable sports. The underlying explanation for this vulnerability to knee injury is not known but theories include anatomic factors, neuromuscular mechanisms, and biomechanical issues related to jumping and pivoting techniques. Available surgical treatment is relatively effective at getting athletes back to play following ACL tears. Preventive strategies are available but imperfect at preventing all injuries. Prevention programs have yet to be widely accepted by the soccer or medical community.