Knee Injuries and the Game of Soccer
Posted on Dec 9, 2022 2:26pm PST
Christian Pulisic's abdominal contusion after what became his game-winning
goal kick in the recent USA vs. Iran World Cup 2022 match was tough to
watch (especially on replay from multiple angles). Still, it isn't
the most typical of injuries faced by most soccer players. Most players
on teams still in the competition, but currently ruled out to play or
being monitored closely to determine return-to-play fitness, are suffering
from muscle or ligamentous injuries – often to the knee.
The most common types of injury to the knees of professional soccer players
include collateral ligament sprains. The collateral ligaments connect
the bones from the upper and lower parts of the leg to the outside of
the knee joint. Second to collateral ligament sprains for injuries sustained
in the fast-paced game of professional soccer are meniscus tears. The
meniscus is a tough piece of cartilage that provides cushion and protection
to the shin bone from the thigh bone. Though these two knee conditions
make up most of those faced by pro soccer players, they certainly aren't
the only ones. ACL tears or damage, patellar dislocations, and even Runner's
knee can happen to our soccer stars during any match.
Soccer isn't the only sport where athletes can become susceptible to
a knee injury – but it sure is one of the sports that most frequently
deal with them. The knee is a significant powerhouse joint in the body,
but it doesn't necessarily rotate on command. The rapid pivots, quick
direction changes, sudden stops, and awkward landings make a ripe playing
field for stress to the knee joint. When knee injuries occur in professionals
(and the amateurs we love), the question often becomes – how long
until they can get back out on the pitch? The answer to this question
depends on the injury's severity, the type of treatment utilized to
heal it, and the time the body takes to heal and recover. In some cases,
that recovery time can take several days or weeks; in others – months
or up to a year.
Having worked with professional athletes for much of my career, I can tell
you none want to be sidelined due to injury – especially during
the World Cup. We often say that the best knee injury is the one the player
prevented from happening – outside of games and during training.
Jump training, plyometrics, and the
PEP Program are well-studied prevention strategies for soccer athletes. The great
news is that our soccer pros today don't need much convincing, and
most are doing some form of these prevention drills during their training.
As a sideline physician during this year's World Cup, and many before
it, I am honored to bear witness to these pillars of human strength and
competitiveness – and I'll do everything in my power to ensure
they can fulfill their dream of playing on the world’s brightest stage.
Sources:
https://www.newswise.com/articles/world-cup-soccer-2022-the-medical-perspective
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/world-cup-injuries-2022-miss-injury-players-out-tracker-list/pjxap5kg2t3iwkgphfyg9hqo
https://www.orlandohealth.com/content-hub/why-pro-soccer-players-suffer-so-many-knee-injuries