Knee1 Blogs: A Knee Perspective: FIFA World Cup 2010

Other Body1 Health Sites:				Empower your Life^®
Circulatory System	Dental Care	Diabetes	General Health	Heartburn	Orthopedics	Skin Care	Women's Health

Home

Education Center

Multimedia

Community

Care Tools

Sports Care

Chronic Care

Physician Finder

Research

News

Resources

Home

Community

Blogs

»	A_Knee_Perspective

A Knee Perspective
By: LisaMM

<< December 2009 >>

	Blog Entries
Prevention of soccer injuries - Feb 09 Knee injuries are among the top four loss injuries in soccer according to USSoccer.com. However, knee injuries are the main concern for both athletes and physicians regardless ... more
FIFA World Cup 2010 - Knee stress test - Dec 07 GOOOAAALLL! I have to admit I am REALLY EXCITED!!! excited about the FIFA World Cup 2010 from 6/11 through 7/11 in South Africa. Hope it will give South Africa and the ... more
Arthritis and Childhood Abuse - Nov 13 I read an interesting article this morning about the relationship between childhood abuse and osteoarthritis. According to researchers at the University of Toronto, physical ... more
Feel That Storm Brewing? - Oct 26 They have a saying here in the Northeast - "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute." And with winter approaching (much faster than I'd like), the weather is really ... more
Benefits of Water Aerobics - Oct 05 I've always loved water sports. I was on a swim team for years, and I've tried all types of water activities - water polo, crew, kayaking, surfing. In the water, above ... more

Posted: Dec 7, 2009 14:06	3 Comments.
FIFA World Cup 2010 - Knee stress test

GOOOAAALLL! I have to admit I am REALLY EXCITED!!! excited about the FIFA World Cup 2010 from 6/11 through 7/11 in South Africa. Hope it will give South Africa and the continent a big boost. The draw last Friday with David Beckham and other stars (click here for the results) already created the first big pre-tournament hype.

As always there is the question who might be among the favorites for the title? Italy, the defending champion, Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Spain (the current European Champion), or maybe the host South Africa? Or one of the "underdogs" like the US or Ghana? Probably not North Korea. What do you think?

World Cup Logo 2010 At the same time people start debating what players should/should not be selected for the national teams. Who are the referees for next year's best of the best? Why does not the FIFA add cameras or referees behind the goals?

During the world cup there will be the usual surprise teams (performance-wise) as well as UNFORTUNATELY cheating, fouls, and injuries. How many times have I seen players limping off the field or being carried away on a stretcher. Then, we will all be reminded of knee injuries such as ACL or MCL injury, dislocation, meniscus tear, or sprain. The worst is that we - the couch potatoes - not only see the pain in the athlete's face but often also hear the sound of the impact prior to the injury. Thanks to constant replays and way too sensitive microphones next to the field.

That leads me to my main question (and concern). Are there currently any soccer players not available due to knee injuries? I think I lost track of the main national leagues and developments in recent months. Maybe somebody can help me out (aka comment on my blog with updates).

Side note: the American Journal of Sports Medicine published an interesting article on knee injuries about (serious) soccer players this past summer, which is worth reading (click here for the article).

185 days to go!

Comments (3):

Add Comment

By: avigneau1: Jan, 21, 2010 12:59 PM

I think you have to put Portugal among the favorites for the WC and you cannot consider the USA "underdogs" anymore. This team has some high expectations to live up to now in light of its recent performance in the Confederations Cup.

Soccer is a sneakily violent sport where some serious knee injuries will occur with seemingly all the vulnerability being right at that area. I would also like to know if there is a website tracking injuries of key players leading up to this grand event.

By: JoeMeloni: Dec, 23, 2009 12:30 PM

Lisa,

It's good to see a different perspective on sports - one from the medical field especially. Currently, there are no major stars suffering from knee injuries that could prevent them from missing time in the World Cup.

U.S. striker Charlie Davies suffered two borken bones in his right leg in a one-car accident last summer. He also broke his elbow and severely damaged his bladder. He is not expected to recover in time.

Argentina's Javier Mascherano, who plays for Liverpool of the English Premier League, is currently suffering from an MCL sprain. Although it is not expected to sideline him for the World Cup, the injury may linger and worsen should he return too soon. Mascherano isn't one to take it easy, so this is certainly something to watch out for as we approach the opening ceremonies in June.

In the past, some players have suffered injuries in the World Cup. England's Michael Owen tore his ACL in the 2006 WC. After enduring a 10-month season with their domestic clubs, players selected for the World Cup receive only a few weeks off before play begins.

By: spark: Dec, 08, 2009 16:36 PM

random question: So i'm not entirely sure how to go about tracking knee injuries of all major athletes, any suggestions? hehe

on a more related note, I'm super excited about the World Cup too! I wish I could go to SA for it (like most of my friends are), but unlike my friends, I cannot afford it. How sad. Anyways, I agree with you about the sheer amount of cheating and foul play that goes on during this spectacular show of athleticism. Kind of surprising considering that the philosophy behind the world cup is to promote peace and harmony through sport. I guess they underestimated what competition, adrenaline, and (more importantly) testosterone does to male athletes LOL (jk).

Tags:

Add Tags