Knee Injury Prevention Program (KIPP®)

About Knee Injuries

Each year in the United States more than 20,000 high school girls suffer serious sports-related knee injuries. In fact, girls are up to six times more likely to injure their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) than boys in similar sports.

More than 70% of ACL injuries occur without any contact with another player, typically while the athlete lands from a jump or changes direction suddenly. An ACL injury at an early age is a life-changing event. Such injuries often require surgery and/or many months of rehabilitation. Regardless of treatment, ACL injuries are associated with a 10-fold increased risk for degenerative knee arthritis later in life. To address this, our sports medicine professionals have developed the KIPP program to help lower the risk of ACL injuries in female athletes. While research shows that female athletes are at a higher risk for ACL injuries, our program has expanded to include all adolescent athletes.

Why Girls Are More Prone

Researchers are continuing to investigate the reasons for this gender disparity in ACL injury rates. To date, the most convincing evidence points to neuromuscular differences between girls and boys. Several studies have shown that girls tend to have less neuromuscular control of knee motion than boys while performing certain athletic tasks. During these tasks, girls tend to demonstrate less use of the hamstring muscles, less knee and hip flexion, and greater inward collapse of the knees than boys. These neuromuscular patterns have been associated with a greater risk for ACL injury.

KIPP by the Numbers

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Supporters

The KIPP Program was launched with funding from the Chicago Fire Foundation and the Kohl’s Cares Program. KIPP is offered at no cost to the community, and ongoing funding is necessary to keep the program running. If you are interested in supporting KIPP please contact the Lurie Children’s foundation at 312.227.7500.