NY1 health reporter Erin Billups continues her segment on ACL tears in the adolescent population with this second part focused on prevention. This clip features Danielle Svantner, HSS patient of Daniel W. Green, MD, MS, FAAP, FACS, and Frank A. Cordasco, MD, MS, who also tore her ACL playing soccer just like her sister Nicole.

Dr. Green explains that 6 to 16-year-old girls have higher rates of tears than boys because of "more flexible ligaments" and a greater "tendency to have knock knees". He believes that this trend can be stopped if athletes can be taught how to move differently. 

NY1 also visits an HSS Sports Safety event which focuses on ACL prevention.

"It's really important and we're not just talking about knees. So if a kid has better posture they're going to grow in a healthier way. If a kid has better control of their core they're going to be a better athlete. And if a kid has more stable legs they're going to be able to jump higher so be more controlled when they land," said Jimmy Russomano, manager, HSS Sports Safety, who helps train coaches and their teams at these events.

"ACL prevention programs can really be effective in decreasing the rate of ACL tears in the 30-40 percent range," said Dr. Green.

One year post-surgery, Danielle is back on the soccer field. "I feel much more secure about everything. I know how to control things now," she said.

Watch the full segment at NY1.com.

View the first part here.