Nassau Illustrated reports on the HSS app, RIIP REPS,  that enables schools, clubs and leagues to easily implement neuromuscular training programs to reduce sports injuries and improve performance.

It’s a young athlete’s worst nightmare—a dreaded popping sound followed by sharp pain in the knee. If it’s a torn anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, it could sideline the player for the rest of the season...or longer. 

“Serious knee injury involving the ACL is a major problem among high school sports participants,” explained Stephen Fealy, MD, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine at HSS Long Island, the Uniondale location of HSS. “Adolescents playing team sports that require cutting or a sudden change of direction, such as soccer, basketball, football and lacrosse, are at greatest risk of an ACL injury.” 

“There has been a 300 percent increase in ACL injuries and reconstructive surgeries in young people over the past 20 years,” explained Peter Fabricant, MD, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the care of children and adolescents with sports-related injuries at HSS Long Island. “An ACL tear can be devastating to a young athlete who needs reconstructive surgery with a subsequent recovery that takes about a year.”

This article appeared in the October 11-17 issues of Nassau Illustrated Newspaper.