Jordan MJ, et al. – This paper resolved to yield an overview of the present comprehension of the epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, and prevention methods for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in Alpine ski racing. It also aimed to illustrate an overview of known information regarding ACL reinjury and return to sport after ACL injury. The data suggested that research on injury risk factors ought to target the equipment design, course settings/speed, and athlete factors (eg, fitness), based on expert opinion. Though skiers possibly reported a successful recovery following the injury, persistent neuromuscular deficits could exist. The ACL injury/reinjury prevention in both male and female skiers and the impact of the knee injury on long–term health outcomes, such as the early development of osteoarthritis, warranted additional analyses. International collaborations could be needed to generate adequate statistical power for ACL injury/reinjury prevention research.

Methods

• Since maximum scientific studies on ACL injuries in Alpine ski racing were descriptive, and that very few studies contributed higher level scientific evidence, a nonsystematic narrative review was employed.
• Data was extracted from 3 scholarly databases with regard to articles on ACL injury or knee injury in Alpine ski racing.
• Studies were classified based on their relevance in terms of epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, and return to sport/reinjury prevention.

Results

• High risk for knee injuries and ACL tears were the most frequent diagnosis, among the ski racers (skiers).
• 3 primary ACL injury mechanism were revealed that involved tibial internal rotation and anteriorly directed shear forces from ski equipment and the environment.
• The trunk muscle strength imbalance and genetics were speculative of ACL injuries in development-level skiers.
• However, limited scientific data was available on the ACL injury risk factors among elite skiers.