Injuries among high school female athletes

Lia Kamana

Ingham County Chronicle Article

Injuries are nothing new in the sports world. Athletes are no strangers to sprains, strains, contusions, concussions and broken bones. In recent years, injuries amongst female athletes have been going up, especially lower leg injuries. The three most dangerous sports when it comes to these lower leg injuries are soccer, volleyball and basketball.

Examples of lower leg injuries are ankle sprains and strains, hip problems, foot problems, shin splints, pulled muscles, and the knee. The knee often suffers the worst injuries such as a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and meniscus. The reason the knee is seen as the worst body part to injure is because often it results in a need for surgery.

Doctors have yet to fully figure out why it is that girls are more susceptible to these lower-leg injuries, but they do have ideas. To learn why a female athlete is more susceptible and what precautionary steps can be taken to lower the risk, watch the video above.