596 EP056 – Prophylactic interventions for ACL ruptures in female athletes: a case study from U20 women’s rugby

Background Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures, common in pivot-contact sports, necessitate frequent repair in sports medicine. Objective The study underscores the imperative for prophylactic programs, emphasizing their cost-efficiency, against ACL ruptures in high-risk athletes. Design A clinical case methodology using clinical examinations coupled with MRI imaging was adopted. Setting This research involves an U20 women's rugby player, highlighting elite sports scenarios. Patients We analyze a distinguished senior rugby player, known for her multiple anterior knee instability risk factors, who faced a partial ACL rupture during a match. Assessment of Risk Factors Female athletes show increased ACL injury susceptibility compared to male counterparts in similar sports. Age, physiological, and hormonal differences play pivotal roles. Emphasized is the augmented external knee abduction moment during specific athletic tasks, linking to ACL injury risks. Main Outcome Measurements The relationship between knee's valgus position, especially the Q angle, and ACL rupture predisposition is investigated. Results Accentuated valgus during landings heightens ACL injury risks. With females and those in contact sports like rugby (accounting for 10.20% of injuries) being more susceptible, the necessity for preventive measures is evident. These preventive strategies, when weighed against the substantial rehabilitation costs post-injury, emerge as not only medically beneficial but also cost-efficient. Conclusion ACL ruptures can impact an athlete's game, career, and team dynamics profoundly. While rehab after an ACL injury is both costly and demanding, the urgency for widespread preventive interventions becomes palpable, given their long-term cost-efficiency and benefits for elite athletes and teams.