Anterior cruciate ligament injury in the athlete--an update in prevention strategies.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a common athletic injury. Athletes with this injury experience significant acute morbidity. These athletes are predisposed to the development of knee osteoarthritis with decreased knee quality of life. The public health implications of these injuries are profound. This article reviews the epidemiology of and risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament injuries in sports. The economic impact of these injuries is discussed. Effective strategies to prevent these significant knee injuries are presented.