ACL Tear & Monthly Cycle

ACL Tear & Monthly Cycle

Reference:Lefevre N et al. ACL tear during the menstrual cycle in female recreational skiers. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2013 Jun 10.

It is fascinating that women have up to 8 times greater risk of having an ACL tear than men, especially during their monthly ovulation cycle.

This prospective study involved 170 recreational female skiers who had sustained an ACL tear. The women filled out a questionnaire including date of last menstrual period and contraceptive method.

Basic conclusion: The risk of women having an ACL tear while skiing was 2.4 fold more likely in the pre-ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle than post-ovulatory phase. Also taking oral contraception made no difference.

Clinical Relevance: None! I can’t see myself telling my female patients to book their ski trip so it correlates with aftertheir menstruation …I’d sound like a crazy physiotherapist!

Posted on: July 05, 2013

Categories: Knee