Young Men And Women Have Different Risk Factors For Ankle Injury

July 4, 2006

Risk factors for a first ankle injury are different for young men

than for young women, according to new research released today at the

2006 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports

Medicine at the HERSHEY® Lodge and Convention Center.

" Some athletes have characteristics that make them more vulnerable to

ankle trauma, " says author Bruce D. Beynnon PhD, who conducted the

research with colleagues from the University of Vermont,

Burlington. " Our data showed that young men have an entirely

different set of risk factors for first time ankle ligament injury

than young women. "

Medical literature shows that after an initial ankle injury, the

likelihood of a second ankle injury is very high. Little is known

about risk factors that predispose individuals to this first ligament

injury. Dr. Beynnon and colleagues measured factors in 901 high

school and collegiate athletes to analyze ankle ligament injury risk

factors.

The researchers found that the women in the study were at increased

risk of suffering an ankle injury when there is a strength imbalance

in the muscles that control the side-to-side movement of the ankle.

They also identified several non-modifiable risk factors. These

included alignment of the muscles in the front of the leg with the

knee; loose ankles, which are suggestive of weak ligaments or

structural problems; and equally dominate legs.

Men who had undergone one or more prior surgeries to their legs were

at increased risk of injury. Also at increased risk were men who had

decreased dorsi-flexion, or the ability to point the toe toward the

head, and weak muscle strength for motion when the ankle rolls away

from the body. Dr. Beynnon and colleagues hypothesize that risk of

injuries after surgery may be indicative of incomplete healing or a

more aggressive physical style.

Dr. Beynnon and colleagues conclude that unique, sex-specific

screening programs can now be developed to identify men and women at

increased risk of suffering ankle trauma and that separate ankle

injury prevention programs are needed for men and women.

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