Dr Cugat gives the keys to why there are so many crusader breaks in Primera Iberdrola

In the current course and after 15 days played, 7 footballers have suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear: Angela Sanchís, Isabel Álvarez, Celia Marcos, Rosa Marquez, Bruna Vilamala, María Valenzuela and Naroa Uriarte. Last season the figure reached 16 players.

The Doctor Ramón Cugat explains that this type of injury has almost twice as likely to occur in a woman than in a man. The valgus of the knees (more union between both knees) is one of the factors that most affects the injury, since it is the most common movement where breakage occurs. “When a soccer player jumps, when she falls she goes directly to the valgus – the position of the knees prior to the injury -, which produces more frequency of rupture”. The pelvic opening Of the woman also influences, since it makes the hips are more outward, and the position of the femur causes risk of injury.

“Crusader breaking is almost twice as likely to occur in a woman as in a man”

Still, the Doctor Cugat ensures that prevention is one of the most important factors to reduce the possibility of rupture. In this it coincides Tere Sauri (physiotherapist and rehabilitation), “The most preventative for this type of injury is force. It is essential to have a figure of a strength coach who works outside the training field “, says Tere, who also highlights the importance of individualizing preventive work. “The strength of the quadriceps, the hamstrings and the muscles of the medial part, are essential so that the body can act correctly before a bad knee gesture”, argues the Doctor Cugat.

Andrea Esteban She is one of the soccer players who has faced this injury the most times until she was forced to retire from soccer at the age of 23. The current coach of the Valencia CF female and former footballer of the same club, has had to deal with it up to 5 times. “The injuries were different, in the first one I was very young, at 16 years old, you face it in a very positive way, in the others you already know the process and knowing it is harder. Each injury was worse than the previous one “explains Andrea. “Guilt always appears and leads you to think that you are doing something wrong. I am a person who takes care of my diet, breaks … ”says the ex-footballer, who knows first-hand that sometimes things do not depend on oneself. Andrea Esteban confesses that psychologically it is a very hard injury due to the constant search for a reason that sometimes has no answer. “It was very hard to see that something like an injury prevented my dream of being a footballer”.

“The strength of the quadriceps, the hamstrings and the muscles of the medial part, are essential so that the body can act correctly before a bad knee gesture”

The growth of women’s football has also influenced these types of injuries, and Andrea who has lived through the development process, ensures that current footballers are privileged. When the soccer player of the Valencia disputed the First Iberdrola football was demanding in a non-professional environment. “The figure of the retrainer did not exist, and physiotherapists used to be moonlighting. All this is changing, now there are more resources and professionals are better prepared ”, says Andrea. All these aspects have changed in most clubs, but as the former player explains, the problem with women’s football is its rapid growth, which has made it develop without a solid foundation.

Another of the hardest aspects of crusader breakdown is the high risk of relapse. Tere Sauri ensures that for 2 years the possibility of relapse is very high, regardless of the form of the surgery, since after an intervention the quality of a proper cruciate ligament will never be achieved. “Another problem that can occur is that during recovery you focus so much on the injured leg that you put the opposite one aside”, Explain Andrea Esteban.

Another footballer who knows the ACL injury closely is Mery Ortiz (Deportivo Alavés Gloriosas), who suffered two crusader ruptures practically consecutively. “I faced the first break with great courage, I thought, ‘when I come back everything will be the same’, it is what has the innocence of when you are injured for the first time. The second time I already knew what it was, it did not shock me so much, I had reference thanks to the previous injury, putting the two injuries together was the hardest thing “ shares Mery, who has returned to step on a playing field this season after 22 months of absence. “Studies are needed in women’s football, take into account the data and influence it. It is a theme that is repeated a lot, but each club goes on its own, there is a lack of general knowledge, everyone go to one “. Mery Ortiz believes that there is no use complaining about issues, such as the quality of the playing fields, and defends that “With what we have, we must study what is best to avoid or prevent this injury”.

“Studies are needed in women’s football, take into account the data and influence it. It is a theme that is repeated a lot, but each club goes on its own, there is a lack of general knowledge, everyone go to one “

The Doctor Cugat a ‘leisurely’ recovery stands out as another factor to avoid relapse. At this time is where the figure of the retrainer comes in, relatively new, but who plays an essential role in returning to competition. In this they also agree Andrea Esteban Y Tere Sauri, who also qualify that each injured has their ‘tempos’, and that is why the importance of individualized plans and trying not to return early. Mery Ortiz He is also blunt about this; “I think there is a lot of running in the recovery of this type of injury, everything is very personal, but the important thing is not the recovery time, it is the work you do during that type, there are some minimums that do not cost anything to take care of”.

At women’s futsal the numbers are similar: 7 injured crusaders players, in the highest category, is the part of the current season. Irina Godó (Penya Esplugues) claims that the clubs should give more importance and dedicate more time and money to physical preparation and the prevention of this type of injury. “I believe that everything begins with a specialized training of physical trainers and physiotherapists, and establishing new prevention protocols taking into account the differences”, explains Irina. Pepa Suarte and Estela Cantero (Alcorcón FSF) they agree with Irina, and explain that the specialization of physical therapists and physical trainers would help to improve the situation together with the investment of more time in prevention. Vane Sotelo (Futsi Atlético Navalcarnero) and Antía Pérez (Sala Zaragoza) agree that prevention is important, but that nothing ensures that the injury will not occur, “I hope the day will come when it is possible to avoid it”, confesses Sotelo.

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