Why Women Are More Likely to Tear Ligaments

Bands of tissue called ligaments join and stabilize bones at joint areas such as wrists, ankles and knees. Injuries occur when an unexpected strain is placed upon the ligament, forcing the ligament to overstretch or rupture. Researchers continue to investigate why women seem to suffer more ligament injuries than men.

Research

• While ankle and wrist ligament sprains are very common, a significant body of research regarding the trend toward higher rates of ligament injuries in women has emerged in response to the frequency of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in the knees of young, athletic women.

Features

• Unlike men, whose higher testosterone levels produce increased muscle to stabilize joint positions, a woman's elevated estrogen levels during puberty lead to superior overall flexibility. Thus, women often lack enough stabilizing muscle around high-risk ligament areas.

Considerations

• Women also tend to move differently while playing sports, favoring a straighter leg while running than their male counterparts. Orthopedic research has discovered women use their hamstrings less frequently than men. These differences place more strain on the ACL while jumping or cutting.

Contributing Factors

• Researchers have also found it takes women a millisecond longer to stabilize their knees than men, increasing the chance of a knee-related injury. Smaller ligaments and a smaller ligament travel space have also been cited as related issues.

Significance

• Sports medicine experts conclude that exercise routines for young women must begin to retrain the way they run---adjusting straighter legs and backs for a more flexed position that can better absorb shocks and stabilize joints.