New data on ACL injury identifies key causes and gives recommendations for prevention and rehabilitation
New data presented at the Isokinetic Football Medicine Conference in London reveals both optimum prevention and rehabilitation techniques for female footballers with ACL injuries. ACL injuries are arguably one of the most debilitating injuries in women’s sport.
In a ground-breaking number of new studies focusing on women specifically and presented at the Isokinetic Football Medicine Conference in London the following recommendations / data shows that:
- German researchers have identified four distinct match situations that lead to ACL injury in women’s football
- Early use of hydrotherapy pool is essential
- Need for immediate and early access to rehabilitation to prevent loss of overall performance
- Players want staff education, and knowledgeable discussion of menstrual cycle and close monitoring
- Specific intervention training can help alleviate likelihood of ACL injury
Isokinetic Medical Group specialises in sports medicine and rehabilitation. It is recognised as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence and is a reference point in international orthopaedic and sports rehabilitation sectors. The power of innovation is found in the strategic positioning of its “Education and Research Department” at the heart of the Isokinetic system.
Dr Jesus Olmo, Isokinetic Sports Doctor and former Real Madrid CF Medical Director said; “It is important for players to know that we can reduce the risk of ACL injury in women happening in the first place with our Movement Analysis Test (MAT). Analysis with a doctor in the clinic’s biomechanical lab (Green Room) measures of neuromuscular control by understanding each player’s movement patterns with the MAT test. Targeted Neuromotor training in the Green Room with augmented and real-time feedback on video-walls to optimize movements and neuromuscular control. Everything before challenging the players in further testing to monitor the improvement. After injury we are also able to rehabilitate following ACL surgeries to give the player the ability to have increased performance and lower risk of re-Injury.
“In specific relation to Keira Walsh’s injury, it is non-contact and abrupt stop when lunging to reach a ball. There is probably a last milliseconds mechanical perturbation caused by the ball, but not from other opponent.
1. Four distinct match situations in Women’s Football that cause ACL injury Four Distinct ACL injury Match Situations in Professional Women’s Football – L. Achenbach, H Bloch, C. Klein, T. Damm, M Obinger, M Rudert, K Fehske, W. Krutsch, D Symski – Julius-Maximimilians-University Wurzburg, German Statutory Accident Insurance for the Administrative Sector, Hamburg, University Wurzburg, University of cooperative Education for Sports and Health, Baunatal, University of clinic Regensberg
The German study analysed in depth 35 ACL injuries in professional women’s football between 2016 and 2022 and sought to identify mechanical patterns. They found:The four distinct match situations are:a) non-contact ‘defensive pressing and abrupt stop’;b) non-contact landing and twist;c) Indirect contact mechanism ‘parallel sprint and tackle’;and d) direct ‘knee to knee’
- 43% were non-contact injuries
- 40% indirect contact injuries
- 17% direct contact injuries
- Of non-contact injuries nearly half (47%) were sustained during the first 15 minutes of the match
- Horizontal movements dominated (i.e. sprinting 20%; change of direction manoeuvres 14%; stopping 14% and lunging 14%)
Dr Matthew Stride, Isokinetic Sports Doctor and former Club Doctor at Brentford FC, said: “In direct relation we should note that in the 2021 Euros, England women’s national team did not have any injures and there is a strong correlation between success and player availability.”
2. Hydrotherapy
Early Pool Neuromotor Training: A Case after ACL reconstruction – s. Maretti, A. Marzi, A. Pizzirani, G. La Rosa, Isokinetic Bologna, Isokinetic Medical Group
The aim of the study is to highlight how early neuromotor training in water can allow an optimal recovery of specific movement patterns in terms of quality of time. The main targets of the pool period were R.O.M. (recovery of movement), core stability improvement and gait normalization. The study took place over