On this episode of Confessions of an Elite Athlete, Midge Purce sits down with her own surgeon, Dr. Riley Williams—Chief of Sports Medicine at HSS and Medical Director for the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, and New York Red Bulls.

Known across professional sports as "Mr. ACL," Dr. Williams performs nearly 600 surgeries a year, among which are world-class athletes. Together, they discuss why ACL tears are surging among female athletes, and what is the riskiest thing an athlete can do after an ACL surgery. They also break down the truth behind playing on turf versus grass, the risks of early youth sports specialization, and a definitive tier ranking of the absolute worst lower-limb injuries. They also discuss the question on everyone’s mind: is it possible to prevent these injuries?  

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