Why So Many Young Athletes in Edmond, Oklahoma Are Tearing Their ACLs (and What You Can Do About It)
If you're a parent of a young athlete in Edmond, you’ve probably heard the stories—or maybe even lived through one. Your child’s teammate lands awkwardly during a game. A quick cut on the field ends in a fall and a scream. The dreaded words follow: “It’s a torn ACL.”
Unfortunately, this scenario is becoming far too common. ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries have skyrocketed among youth and high school athletes in recent years, particularly in sports like soccer, football, basketball, and baseball. At Next Level Sports Performance & Therapy in Edmond, we see these injuries regularly—and we know how preventable many of them are.
🚨 So Why Are So Many Kids Tearing Their ACLs?
It’s not bad luck. There are specific reasons why young athletes—especially in competitive communities like Edmond—are more vulnerable than ever:
1. Lack of Neuromuscular Control
Many kids aren’t taught how to move efficiently. They may have the strength to play hard, but not the control or body awareness to land safely, decelerate, or change direction under load. This creates excessive stress on the knee, especially in sports that involve jumping, cutting, or pivoting.
2. Year-Round Sports Without Recovery
Gone are the days of playing different sports each season. Today’s youth athletes often play one sport 10–12 months out of the year. Without proper recovery, rest, and cross-training, the risk of injury skyrockets due to repetitive stress and fatigue.
3. Early Specialization
Focusing on one sport too early limits movement variability. When kids repeat the same motions year-round, they miss out on developing the full-body strength and coordination that comes from a more diverse athletic background. This imbalance increases stress on the knees.
4. Insufficient Strength & Conditioning
Most youth sports practices focus on skills and drills—not strength, stability, or injury prevention. Even if your child is active, they might not be building the muscle strength and joint control needed to protect their knees during competition.
5. Growth Spurts and Biomechanical Changes
Adolescents grow fast. Rapid increases in limb length can lead to awkward movement patterns and reduced coordination. Without targeted training, those changes can leave knees especially vulnerable—particularly in taller athletes or those hitting puberty quickly.
👟 Real Risk, Real Impact
A torn ACL isn’t just a minor setback. It typically involves:
Surgery
9–12 months of rehab
Emotional challenges
Missed seasons and scholarship opportunities
Increased risk of re-injury
That’s why prevention matters more than ever.
🧠 What Can Parents in Edmond Do to Help?
If your child plays sports competitively, here’s how you can reduce their risk:
✅ Get a Movement Screen
A qualified performance or physical therapist can assess your child’s movement patterns, muscle imbalances, and stability. At Next Level, we use these screens to catch red flags before they become injuries.
✅ Prioritize Strength Training
Make sure your child is training their body—not just their sport. Strengthen the glutes, hamstrings, and core. Strong muscles reduce joint stress and improve overall control during high-intensity movements.
✅ Include Jump and Landing Mechanics
Your child should learn how to jump, land, and decelerate safely. This includes working on knee alignment, balance, and symmetry with a coach or therapist who understands ACL mechanics.
✅ Watch for Fatigue
Most ACL tears happen late in games or practices when the athlete is tired. Encourage your child to rest, recover, and not “tough it out” when they’re already gassed.
✅ Don’t Rush Return After Injury
If your child has had an ACL injury—or even a sprain—don’t rush them back. Many re-tears happen because rehab was incomplete or return-to-play testing wasn’t done thoroughly.
📍 Edmond Athletes Deserve Better Prevention
The pressure to perform in youth sports is real—but injury doesn’t have to be part of the story. At Next Level Sports Performance & Therapy, we help Edmond athletes train smarter, move better, and stay healthy through every season.
Whether your child is already recovering from an ACL tear or you want to reduce the risk before it happens, we can help guide you every step of the way.
✅ Want to Know If Your Athlete Is at Risk?
Let’s find out before it’s too late.
👉 Schedule a free discovery call with our Edmond-based team at Next Level Sports Performance & Therapy. We'll talk through your child’s sport, movement patterns, and performance goals—and determine if a preventive movement screen or return-to-sport testing is the right next step.
Protect their knees. Protect their future.
