Area high school students recently attended an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) Injury Prevention Program hosted by the EntireCare Rehab & Sports Medicine Experts department at Verde Valley Medical Center. More than 120 students from Camp Verde, Cottonwood and Sedona attended the after-school program which uses a variety of simple flexibility and strengthening exercises to help prevent serious injuries that can sideline athletes.

The ACL is one of the most important of four strong ligaments connecting the bones of the knee joint, and often is injured in individuals who participate in sports activities. Ligaments are strong, dense structures made of connective tissue that stabilize a joint and connect bone to bone across the joint. A tear to the ACL results from overstretching this ligament within the knee. It usually is due to a sudden stop and twisting motion of the knee, or a force of “blow” to the front of the knee. The extent of the tear can be a partial or a complete tear. An ACL tear is one of the most serious knee injuries sustained by athletes.

The students worked with physical therapists learning exercises to avoid vulnerable positions, increase flexibility, and increase strength and endurance.