Knee injuries disproportionately impact women and female athletes. The most common injuries are anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears suffered during non-contact sports. ACL tears are four to eight times more likely to occur in women than men.
"Every year, there is an increase in the number of female athletes competing in sports and that means an increased rate of knee injuries in these athletes," says Christian Lattermann, MD, co-chair of Mass General Brigham Sports Medicine and chief of the Division of Sports Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
All Mass General Brigham Sports Medicine physicians, surgeons and other clinicians have experience in managing joint-related injuries in female athletes. Additionally, our Women's Sports Medicine Program includes physicians dedicated to health issues that are unique to the female athlete.
"While women are at higher risk of knee injuries, we can help teach all athletes how to significantly reduce this risk," says Dr. Lattermann. One proven way is to integrate relatively simple injury prevention exercises into everyday routines.
Women's bodies undergo anatomical changes during puberty (e.g., widening of the hips) and pregnancy (e.g., loosening of tendons and ligaments) that can weaken core and other muscle groups and reduce neuromuscular control.
"Knee injuries can sideline female athletes for months and can lead to more severe injuries and even early osteoarthritis if not treated correctly. Mass General Brigham Sports Medicine specialists design unique care and treatment plans for the injured female athlete that prioritize recovery and return to play."
Because of these changes, the mechanics of women's movement patterns—especially during common athletic exercises like jumping and running—can be significantly impacted. For example, when jumping, women typically place more weight on their quadriceps rather than their hamstrings, which can upset muscular balance and increase knee pain. Additionally, increased flexibility and a wider pelvis in women can further lead to higher loads on the knee.
"After puberty, women have a tendency to bend their knees inward as they jump and land, rather than keeping their knees parallel, and this inward positioning can lead to ACL injuries," says Dr. Lattermann.
Additionally, hormones released during the menstrual cycle, such as estradiol, progesterone and relaxin, can impact the looseness or stiffness of a woman's ligaments and potentially lead to increased risk of injury. A growing area of research is investigating the relationships between women's menstrual cycles and knee injuries.
Knee injuries can sideline female athletes for months and can lead to more severe injuries and even early osteoarthritis if not treated correctly. Mass General Brigham Sports Medicine specialists design unique care and treatment plans for the injured female athlete that prioritize recovery and return to play. Our specialists treat knee injuries, including:
Strength training and plyometrics-paired with agility, balance and flexibility training-make up the core of Mass General Brigham's ACL Preventative Training Program, which includes tailored recommendations for female athletes and has been shown to reduce the risk of injury by up to 50%.
Examples of effective core- and glute-strengthening exercises that can be easily incorporated into everyday workouts and help prevent knee injuries include: