Two prominent health and sports medicine organizations are partnering to launch a campaign to help young female athletes avoid commonly occurring ACL injuries.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association will debut a public service announcement this month in a campaign targeting athletes, coaches, parents, health care professionals and media on the prevention and treatment of ACL injuries. The organizations have developed specific recommendations to help female athletes lower the incidence of these types of injuries.

The launch of the year-long initiative coincides with National Athletic Training Month.

The PSA features a most-valuable player trophy with a female soccer player on crutches. The headline reads, “Too many female athlets are getting put on the shelf.” It will appear in major consumer magazines and daily newspapers and on billboards at selected airports nationwide.

Rigorous exercises or activities, such as basketball or soccer, that require sudden pivots or stops can significantly increase the chances of an ACL tear, a common injury among athletes – especially females. Recent studies show that young female athletes are up to eight times more likely than males to tear an ACL. Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that, in 2006, there were more than 46,000 female athletes age 19 and younger who experienced a sprain and strain of the ACL. Nearly 30,000 of these injuries required repair.

“We’re pleased to partner with AAOS on this much-needed campaign to raise awareness of ACL injuries among female athletes,” said NATA President Marjorie J. Albohm. “We’re hopeful that by shedding more light on the topic, and as more girls are taking part in sports including soccer and basketball, that athletes and those who work closely with them on the playing field will take the necessary steps to reduce or eliminate these types of injuries.”

For more information about the prevention and treatment of ACL injuries, visit the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ Web site at www.orthoinfo.org and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Web site at www.nata.org.