In this episode of the Joint Action podcast, we explore how injuries to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in the knee can lead to osteoarthritis, especially in young people aged 15-25. Did you know that up to 20% of people who develop knee osteoarthritis do so because of a past injury? ACL injuries are a major culprit, and their impact can be life-changing. We chat with Dr Andrew Ross, a physiotherapist and researcher, and Associate Prof Chris Schilling, a health economist, about how we can prevent these injuries in the first place. They share insights from recent studies showing that national injury prevention programs could save millions in healthcare costs, improve quality of life, and keep more people active in sports for longer. We also discuss the challenges of getting these programs off the ground and why they’re so crucial - not just for individual athletes but for society as a whole. If you’re interested in how we can better protect our knees and prevent osteoarthritis, this episode is a must-listen! RESOURCES Previous episodes Knee injury and osteoarthritis with Tim HewettIs osteoarthritis preventable? with Dr Jackie Whittaker Programs Perform+FIFA 11+ ProgramGLAD Australia Papers The economics of a national anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention program for amateur football players: a Markov model analysisThe time is right to do more to reduce ACL injuries CONNECT WITH US Twitter/X: @ProfDavidHunter @jointactionorgInstagram: @ProfDavidHunterEmail: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.