Increasing prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in a collegiate population.

OBJECTIVE: To detect a possible increasing trend in the annual prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in a collegiate population and whether gender, sport, or year of the participant was predictive of a prior ACL injury.

DESIGN: Retrospective case series

SETTING: West Virginia University.

PARTICIPANTS: Review of 3079 physical examination forms for prior ACL injury in athletes presenting for collegiate participation from 1996-2008.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence or absence of ACL injury at presentation for preparticipation physical examination.

RESULTS: There was a slight increase in the annual prevalence of ACL injuries over the study period. Gender and sport of the participant were not predictive of a prior ACL injury.

CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of ACL injuries increased over time in the population. Further research is needed to determine if this result is reflective of a growing national trend in athletes with a prior ACL injury presenting for collegiate participation.