Sports medicine care for female athletes
Women are eight times more likely to experience anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries than men and are twice as likely to experience ankle sprains. At UT Health San Antonio Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, our team understands how those risks can change across different ages and stages of life. We provide specialized care to help women prevent injuries, recover safely and return to the activities they enjoy.
Common conditions in female athletes of all ages
Women are typically born with looser connective tissue. That allows for a greater range of motion and flexibility but may also increase their risk of injury. This can affect women of all ages and present as pain or instability in areas such as the shoulder, hip, knee or ankle. In fact, ACL tears of the knee are one of the most common injuries in female athletes.
Active women are also more prone to overuse injuries. Stress injuries most commonly affect the bones and the tendons surrounding them. These injuries can be caused by repetitive motion, such as high-mileage running, golf or tennis. For many women, stress injuries can result in issues such as tennis elbow and heel pain. If pain is limiting your lifestyle, seeking treatment early can help you stay active.
As women age, they are also at risk of losing bone density. Estrogen, a hormone that helps protect bones, decreases sharply as women age. Women may also experience a decrease in muscle mass. While low bone density may initially cause minor side effects, it can lead to more serious injuries. Bone density and muscle mass can be preserved by regularly engaging in weight-bearing exercise, such as lifting weights or walking, and consuming adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D. Our physicians who focus on women’s health can help develop a personalized injury-prevention plan.
Specialized care for your needs
“Female athletes are a strong and unique group. They are knowledgeable, adaptive and intuitive, and they should trust those instincts. If pain or another limitation is affecting your activity, our orthopaedics and sports medicine team can provide a comprehensive evaluation and recommend treatment and prevention strategies designed specifically for women,” said Leah Brown, MD, a UT Health San Antonio orthopaedic surgeon and lead orthopaedic surgeon for the San Antonio Spurs.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help you return to the activities you love. We offer both nonsurgical and surgical treatments, with care tailored to your individual needs. Several women on our orthopaedic team also bring personal experience recovering from orthopaedic injuries, giving them additional insight into the needs of active women..
Learn more about UT Health San Antonio's orthopaedic and sports medicine program or call 210-450-9300 to make an appointment with one of our specialists.