Summer Sports and ACL Injuries — What Athletes Should Know

Why do most injuries appear in the summer?

With longer days, more time spent on the field, and warmer temperatures, the risk for one of the most debilitating knee injuries—the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear—goes up.

Summer brings a lot of enthusiasm, and with it, less warm-up and more dehydration as the game gets more intense and there’s less time sipping on water under the hot sun.

However, it is not all doom and gloom, and with a little bit of preparation, you can still enjoy the summer without fearing an ACL tear. 

Our expert Dr. Thomas Kane III explains what ACL injuries are, how they present themselves, and most importantly, how you can prevent them.

ACl injuries 101

The ACL is one of the key ligaments that stabilizes your knee joint. These injuries often occur with sudden stops, changes in direction, jumping, or awkward landings — all common movements in summer sports like soccer, basketball, volleyball, and ultimate frisbee.

When the ACL tears, symptoms such as sudden knee pain, swelling, instability, and difficulty bearing weight usually develop. Left untreated these injuries can worsen, leading to restricted movement and long-term knee problems, such as arthritis.  (note-erased “and without proper rest”)

Why ACL injuries spike in the summer

ACL injuries can happen any time of year, but they are more likely during the summer due to the following risk factors:

Many athletes also move from structured, supervised team training to informal “pick-up” games or self-directed workouts without proper warm-ups.

Playing surfaces vary widely—from hard courts to uneven fields or artificial turf—all of which can place extra stress on the knees.

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ACL injuries during the summer are often a combination of lack of proper warm-ups, surfaces that put more stress on the knees, and extended activity, sometimes even without proper hydration.

How you can prevent ACL injuries this summer

Protecting your knees starts with listening to your body’s cues. Are you feeling fatigued? Pain? 

Do you feel dehydrated?

Strengthening the muscles around the knee significantly stabilizes the joint and may well prevent ACL injury.  But perhaps the most important preventive advice is to always begin your activity with a dynamic warm-up and sport-specific movements to get muscles ready.

Lastly, make sure your footwear fits your sport and playing surface, offering the traction and support your knees need.

Recovering from an ACL injury

If you notice pain, swelling, or instability in your knee, seeking prompt treatment is key to a smooth recovery. With proper orthopedic care, many athletes fully recover and safely return to their sport.

The plan often includes physical therapy and sometimes medications to manage pain and inflammation.  For an athlete who wants to return to their sport of choice, surgical reconstruction is usually required.  A thorough physical exam by an expert knee specialist like Dr. Lane, plus a confirmatory MRI, if indicated,  will ensure that the correct diagnosis is made, and the appropriate treatment is undertaken.

If you have injured your knee, Contact us to schedule an appointment in our office located in Honolulu to receive prompt care and get back on your feet as soon as possible.