As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This also proves true in reducing the risk of serious knee injury in all athletes, especially young athletes. Research has proven that injury prevention programs are effective and that participation in injury prevention programs is important for reducing future medical costs and preventing ACL injuries, osteoarthritis, and total knee replacements. Thus, coaches, parents, and athletes should implement and remain diligent with injury prevention programs to reduce the risk of ACL injuries. These programs should be implemented prior to practices or games and are especially important for athletes between the ages of 12 and 25 who participate in high-risk sports for ACL injury.

Components of an effective and literature-supported injury prevention program include core stabilization training, strength training of the lower extremities, and plyometric exercises. Ideally, the performance of these injury prevention programs should occur multiple times per week. A well-developed program should take at least twenty minutes to complete one session. These prevention sessions should begin prior to the sporting season and last throughout the season.

Dr. Heather Smith is an expert at ACL repair rehabilitation, as well as performing screenings of adolescent athletes and developing a thorough and evidence-based injury prevention program for our community of athletes. She will identify areas of improvement for the athlete, as well as ensure the incorporation of all key elements of an injury prevention program.

Heather Smith, Doctor of Physical Therapy at Performance Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, has extensive training in General Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine and post-operative rehabilitation of the upper and lower extremities. She is passionate about helping people feel better, move better and return to their desired level of function.