ACL injuries can be devastating for athletes, often ending a season or even a career. While they affect both men and women, female athletes face a significantly higher risk. Dr. Sandra Shultz, a Kinesiology Professor and Director of UNC Greensboro’s Center for Women’s Health and Wellness, has dedicated her career to understanding—and ultimately preventing—these injuries. Her research is now on the cusp of a major breakthrough.
Dr. Shultz’s passion for ACL injury research stems from her extensive clinical background as a certified athletic trainer. During her time at UCLA, she witnessed what she describes as an “epidemic” of ACL injuries in female athletes. That experience drove her to investigate the underlying causes. Over the past 25 years, her work has zeroed in on knee joint laxity, one of the most consistent risk factors for ACL injury. Her research revealed that hormonal differences between men and women contribute to greater knee laxity in females, increasing their susceptibility to injury.
In collaboration with Dr. Randy Schmitz, Dr. Shultz developed the Geometric 3D Knee Joint Laxity Testing Apparatus—an innovative device designed to identify individuals with above-average knee laxity before injuries occur. The apparatus stabilizes the thigh and measures joint displacement as the knee moves in three planes, offering clinicians a precise and standardized method for screening at-risk athletes.
This device is particularly groundbreaking because nothing like it currently exists in the United States. The research team recently secured a U.S. patent, a pivotal milestone toward commercialization. The patent not only validates the significance of their work but also opens doors for industry partnerships and future grant funding to advance the prototype toward widespread clinical use.
While much of the research has focused on female athletes, Dr. Shultz emphasizes that the device is suitable for both men and women. She envisions its applications expanding into professional sports organizations, the military, and other high-performance environments where preventing injury is a top priority.
This innovation marks a major step forward in ACL injury prevention—one with the potential to protect athletes, extend careers, and transform how we approach joint health and injury risk.
Watch the full segment: https://myfox8.com/spotlight/good-for-her/greensboro-woman-helps-prevent-acl-injuries-in-female-athletes/