Anterior cruciate ligament injury keeps star player out of Women’s World Cup

Some of the biggest names in gaming will miss the Women’s World Cup due to something like an epidemic. ACLs Injuries – and players are asking why.

Dutch forward Vivianne Miedemain England Leah Williamson Beth Meade, Canada’s Janine Becky and US rising star Katarina Macario are among the players who will be absent from tournaments starting July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.

“I think it’s a multifaceted problem, and even if I’ve gone through it, I’m not sure I’m an expert on it,” said the US midfielder who tore his anterior cruciate ligament while in college at Stanford. Fielder, Andy Sullivan said.

“There are many possible causes, but I think research into why is a little behind the times. I hope this epidemic will wake people up,” Professor Sullivan added. . “This is an issue that we need to pay attention to and look more at in prevention and better ways to deal with it.”

Nearly 60 players in the world’s top professional women’s league are estimated to have been sidelined with anterior cruciate ligament injuries last year. Among them was Spain’s Alexia Puteras, who tore her anterior cruciate ligament just before the Euros last July.

Pteras, who will play for Spain at the World Cup, has partnered with FIFPRO, the international players’ union, to call attention to the occurrence of an anterior cruciate ligament injury, detailing workload, medical care, field conditions and possible causes. requested to investigate. capital.

Studies have shown that women are up to eight times more likely than men to sustain an anterior cruciate ligament injury in sports involving sudden changes of direction, such as soccer and basketball. Dr. Mark Cullen, a team doctor at the University of New Hampshire who specializes in orthopedic surgery, says women have wider hips, which affects knee mechanics.

“They also tend to land a little harder on their feet than men, which doesn’t absorb force, putting more force on the anterior cruciate ligament and contributing to tears,” says Cullen.

Scottish professional Katie Roode hopes to join New Zealand’s roster and play in the country’s biggest tournament in football. But she recently announced that she has joined “her ever-growing ACL club.”

“It’s been an interesting process so far, and I’m sure we can learn a lot from it, especially as it’s a serious issue in the women’s game. Will the club look after you?'” she wrote. “This is a reminder that health care and treatment are not the norm in the women’s game, and who knows that players with serious injuries at their club have had to fend for themselves. everyone knows.”

But Rood praised the team’s support.

Miedema won’t be in time to help the Netherlands return to the Women’s World Cup after finishing runner-up to the United States in France four years ago. She is one of her four players in her. arsenal In the Women’s Super League, she is currently out of action due to an ACL injury. The list also includes Williamson, who tore his ACL in April.

When Arsenal’s Laura Wienroter tore her anterior cruciate ligament earlier this month, Miedema posted on social media: PS. The ACL group is full. Please stop. ”

All five of the 2022 women’s Ballon d’Or nominees – Pteras, Miedema, Macario, Meade and France’s Marie-Antoinette Catoto – suffered anterior cruciate ligament injuries last year.

Last year’s Women’s Euros Golden Boot winner Meade was left out of England’s 23-man World Cup squad.

“We have to take care of our players and do smart things, not a little soft,” said England manager Salina Wiegman.

France, who had already lost Catoto, suffered another anterior cruciate ligament blow when Delphine Cascarino tore her ACL while playing for Lyon.

Lyon teammate Macario, one of America’s most promising young attackers, tore his anterior cruciate ligament last June. Macario, who was undergoing rehab at Qatar’s sports medicine center Aspetar, announced in May that he would not be able to return to the World Cup.

Aside from the mechanics, there is also the psychological strain such long-term injuries put on athletes. For some, it means a loss of paycheck, and for others it can mean a stagnant or shortened career.

Some miss the chance to play in the World Cup.

Tianna Davidson, who plays for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League, tore her anterior cruciate ligament in March last year. She said her injury and rehab allowed her to appreciate her own career.

“At first there was some impatience and frustration. When will this end?” Davidson said. “But I think through that process, I really learned how to be patient and how to give myself the space to listen to myself and enjoy the good things. important when you are

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