ACL Injury and Prevention
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are an increasing concern across many sports, particularly among young athletes and in the rapidly growing women’s game. This page brings together evidence-based information, expert guidance and educational resources to help a wide range of audiences understand, prevent and manage ACL injuries. By combining clinical expertise, prevention initiatives and current reporting on the growing scale of the problem, this resource aims to support safer participation in sport and improved long-term knee health for everyone involved.
For patients and athletes, it provides clear explanations of ACL injury, treatment options and recovery pathways so individuals can make informed decisions about their care and return to sport.
Coaches and parents will find practical injury-prevention resources, including training approaches and programmes designed to reduce risk in grassroots sport.
Healthcare professionals can access best-practice guidance, research insights and policy discussions addressing the rising incidence of ACL injuries, particularly among adolescents and female athletes.
Power Up To Play
Power Up To Play is a charity initiative set-up by medical professionals. Our aim is to improve young player welfare in grassroots sport through prevention of serious knee injuries.
The Football Association of Wales guidance on How to Prevent ACL Injuries
The FAW has partnered with Power Up To Play—a charity formed by dedicated medical professionals committed to improving the welfare of young players in grassroots sport through the prevention of serious knee injuries, to create an educational video module exploring strategies to prevent ACL injuries.
BOASt - Best Practice for Management of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common injury usually affecting young and active individuals. The aim of treatment is to restore functional stability of the knee joint.
BOASt - Management of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in the Skeletally Immature Patient
The scope of this guidance is to provide recommendations for the assessment and management of skeletally immature patients with suspected Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries.
How to tackle the increased rate of ACL injuries in women’s football
By Morgan Bailey and Nathaneal Ahearn
ACL injuries: The 'staggering' teenage crisis
What is an ACL? And why are teenagers 29 times more likely to need surgery for the injury than two decades ago? Sky Sports News senior reporter Geraint Hughes heads inside surgery to investigate the 'staggering' crisis facing young athletes.
ACL injuries: 'Teenagers 29 times more likely to have surgery than 20 years ago'
ACL injuries: Teenagers 29 times more likely to have surgery than 20 years ago as doctors warn of 'staggering crisis'
Why are so many teen girls still tearing their ACLs?
For years, ligament tears have been a crisis among young athletes — even though a few simple exercises can prevent them.
Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in netball: the elephant in the room
By Wahid Abdul and Angus Robertson
Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in netball: the elephant in the room - Part 2
By Wahid Abdul and Angus Robertson
Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in netball: the elephant in the room - Part 3
By Wahid Abdul and Angus Robertson