TOPIC:

I am at a loss to understand why there is such a massive increase in ACL injuries over the last two decades.

When I was playing footy I had never heard the term mentioned and the first time it came to my attention was very late in the 1990's (I think).

We always used to refer to the "serious injuries" as a cartilage injury. It was as I understood it to be the connective rubbery tissue that acted as a cushion between the bones or joints in the knee. You simply don't hear that term anymore.

Perhaps we have become too advanced and too ready to diagnose the injury.

A number of players that I played with overcame the "old" cartilage injury by having rest and allowing the knee to stabilize.

Perhaps todays players are too quick to opt for the surgery when some at least may benefit and avoid surgery by delaying the operation and first giving eight to ten weeks of physical therapy a try.

I'd be interested in hearing everybod else's comments on the matter because it is nothing short of an epedemic in sports at the moment!

Very interesting topic Dempsey. Its something I have been thinking about as well especially since NicNat did his knee again
The article below which was published on the ABC website in April claims that ACL reconstructions are up by about 70% amongst young Australians in the last 15 years which would tend to back up your comments. The article points to one of the reasons could be that Childrens sport has become more professional and perhaps this is putting undue demands on developing bodies. It also talks about preventative measures that athletes can take to lessen the risk of an ACL tear. An interesting read

www.abc.net.au/news/health/2018-04-23/ac...-70-per-cent/9679672

I believe that added to the above, their bodies are bigger, stronger and faster, but the knee is still the knee. That's one part of the body you can't bulk up to carry the extra weight and movement.

58shark wrote: I believe that added to the above, their bodies are bigger, stronger and faster, but the knee is still the knee. That's one part of the body you can't bulk up to carry the extra weight and movement.

Thats a very good point 58shark. There is a lot more emphasis put on gym work and building upper body strength that there was 15 - 20 years ago

I also think we need to consider the taping of ankles. Everyone now days gets their ankles taped, which means if you are twisted in a tackle, and your ankle is stabilised then the knee is the joint bearing all the twisting pressure.

No science to back up my thoughts, just considering the way the body moves

100% agree with all posters views here. Too much meddling too early on injuries. And far too much upper body strength. i reckon Fyfe was better when smaller.

ACL injuries have been part of AFL footy for decades. John Todd tore his ACL when he was 18 and wore a brace to be able to play.

Is there more ACL tears these days? Probably but how many players back in the day had poorly diagnosed and treated 'serious knee' injuries which forced them into premature retirement?

What has changed since then is the diagnosis of the injury (MRIs) and treatment with ACL reconstructive surgery (traditional tendon graft or LARS) all fairly common practice these days.

The weight training I feel is a bit of a double edged sword as it should help prevent injury, allows palyers to take bigger impacts etc, but it also allows the players run faster, jump higher which over time puts more strain on the joints of the body.

Yes I tend to agree D. Never used to hear the term before. Not unless all the experts try and sound more technical?
I have heard of meniscus previously, and that is a term not many people would know.
When you think about it, the knee is one of your major joints that is taking a lot of stress everyday.

I think a couple of factors could be the better ground conditions with better grip under foot leading to more twisting than sliding like on the old muddy grounds and better footwear and stabilization of ankles which puts more pressure on the knees.
Would like to know if ankle injuries have decreased at a similar rate to acl's increasing??

I know in basketball there has been a few studies showing a possible correlation with "better" footwear and increased knee injuries

Tiger Tales wrote: ACL injuries have been part of AFL footy for decades. John Todd tore his ACL when he was 18 and wore a brace to be able to play.

Is there more ACL tears these days? Probably but how many players back in the day had poorly diagnosed and treated 'serious knee' injuries which forced them into premature retirement?

What has changed since then is the diagnosis of the injury (MRIs) and treatment with ACL reconstructive surgery (traditional tendon graft or LARS) all fairly common practice these days.

The weight training I feel is a bit of a double edged sword as it should help prevent injury, allows palyers to take bigger impacts etc, but it also allows the players run faster, jump higher which over time puts more strain on the joints of the body.

You hit the nail on the head re weight training. The majority of what the so called S&C “experts” are giving players is unnecessary and counter productive. Its actually brain dead. Also players do not do a quarter of the flexibility work that would prevent injury. No injury is acceptable and all injuries are predictable, was just a matter of time before Nic Nat went down again just as its a matter of time before Bennell blows his calf again and in cricket Berendorf and co do their backs again etc etc etc. They are all stuck in the same cycle and these “professionals” advising them are getting paid huge $ for actually damaging their athletes now and for their latter post retirement years.