POTTSVILLE, PA — For young athletes who participate in sports, Pottsville Area Physical Therapy, A Service of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital is offering free screenings for potential anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injuries.
“A number of studies and research show ACL prevention programs can decrease the risk of an ACL injury,” said Joseph Halko, PT, who is leading the program. “We can identify the biomechanical and neuromuscular deficits through this free screening and then design a program to help prevent that type of injury.”
There are about 300,000 ACL injuries annually in the United States. Research shows:
- Sports with cutting and pivoting such as soccer, basketball, football and volleyball have the highest incidents of ACL tears.
- Women tear their ACLs four to six times more than men.
- Young athletes ages 12-18 years are at highest risk of ACL injuries.
- An ACL injury prevention program decreases the risk of ACL injury by 72 percent in athletes ages 14-18 years.
ACL screenings are by appointment only at Pottsville Area Physical Therapy, A Service of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital, 2655 Woodglen Road, Pottsville, PA 17901. To schedule a free screening, call 570-622-6648 (Ext. 2).