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Female Knee Injuries Linked To Menstrual Cycle


Just when women thought that time of the month couldn’t cause anymore grief than it already does, now knee injuries can be added to the list of things to worry about during their monthly cycle.

A recent study done by the University of Texas has linked menstrual cycles to predisposing women to knee injuries.

Shannele Sunderland is a 17-year-old local soccer player who has dreams to play soccer in college, but last Thanksgiving she suffered a knee injury that could have ended her career.

“I cried every night for the longest time, so it was really tough," Sunderland said.

Sunderland said it never crossed her mind that her injury could have been tied to Mother Nature.

"When I first came in [to the doctor’s office], my doctor first asked me that,” Sunderland said.  “I thought it was a strange question."

Sunderland is one of seven girls on her soccer team that has experienced an ACL injury. She said some of her teammates have even had more than one.

Sunderland spent several months rehabilitating at Catz Sports Performance Center in Austin. Christie Powell, Owner and Director of Physical Therapy, said currently they are treating 25 knee injuries and at least 70 percent of those are young females.

"Girls have anywhere from three to nine times the prevalence rate," Powell said. "It would give us more insight into things we need to avoid or timeframes we need to manage for them during certain periods of the month."

The study conducted by UT relates female knee injuries to hormone changes and nerve activity in the body. Joshua Fox, M.D. at St. David’s Medical Center in Austin said new information could play a big part in prevention.

"What [the study] showed, the week before the menstrual cycle the nerves seem to be more active," Fox said. "There are times you may need to be a little bit more aware and other exercises you need to do to help stabilize the knee."

Sunderland said if she had been aware of this information before she was injured she said she would have known to take it easy on her training during certain times of the month.

"A lot of girls quit after having their ACL’s torn, so it would be a great way to keep athletes playing, Sunderland said.

By Cassie Gallo