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Basketball Related ACL Injuries

The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is the smallest of the knee's four ligaments. Its primary responsibilities include providing stability to the joint and controlling lateral and rotational movements, such as pivoting and cutting.

Most basketball-related ACL injuries are caused by non-contact activities, with ballistic actions such as twisting, turning, and planting, and explosive movements like jumping and cutting being the most common causes. Injuries can range from mild strains to complete tears of the ligament.

Skills

Because ACL injuries often are caused by an isolated incident, they are difficult to prevent. However, there are ways to help reduce your chance of suffering an ACL injury. When jumping, be sure to land with your knees slightly bent. Straight-leg landings put unnecessary stress on the knee's ligaments and can make them vulnerable to injury.

Avoid playing when fatigued. When your muscles and connective tissues become tired, they lose their ability to absorb shock and properly react to quick movements. Fatigue also can hinder your ability to recognize your limits, which can lead to poor mechanics and execution.

For more information on common injuries of the active individual, visit ActivePain.com. Check out Active Pain Council's Diagnostic Tool. This tool allows the active individual to further analyze injuries and take strides to prevent such pain in the future.