In the recent past, many players plying their trade in the FKF Premier League and the National Super League have undergone the knife on knee surgery.
The number keeps increasing and many stakeholders have been questioning why this is happening so rapidly.
If you have played soccer competitively then you know the risks involved. Constant strains on your legs lead to among others sprains and strains of ligaments and muscles. Most footballers do suffer tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the meniscus.
The FKF Premier League resumes on May 12 and already a number of clubs are going to miss their top players. Kariobangi Sharks has vastly been affected with three of its players undergoing the knife. Patrick Otieno, Patrick Ngunyi, Samuel Olwande (all Kriobangi Sharks) Tedian Esilaba (AFC Leopards), Enock Agwanda(KCB)and Clinton Kinanga(Police FC) are some of the players who have had knee surgeries in 2021 alone. From the look of things, there might be more players who play along with the injuries and the results are devastating.
Former Wazito FC, Gor Mahia and KCB coach Frank Ouna has been here for a while and he knows how tough it can be to lose players through long term injuries.
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He tells us about some of the major causes of such injuries. “Three main reasons could be contributing: One, players are also faster, which can lead to more frequent stops and changes in direction, causing more injuries.
Two, playing surfaces can also lead to torn ACLs. Most of our pitches are hard, not well watered and some are poorly quality and maintained turfs,” he says.
“The players and technical bench might also be using the wrong equipment, such as using the wrong type of boots for the playing surface you play on. I saw my SC (Sports Science)guy, Marcelo, both at KCB and Wazito advising players on the right boots,” he said.
From the above three points, it is evident that we have a long way to go if we want to get things right. Point number three is very vital and it is evidently seen when one goes to the stadium to watch or cover an NSL or FKF Premier League match. The wrong kind of equipment will definitely make one uncomfortable and uneasy while making movements. Our surfaces don’t require silver studded boots but you will see some players wear them thinking that it is fashion!
So why is soccer so potentially terrible for your knees? Well, the rapid pivoting, sudden change of direction, stopping, and decelerating, or even landing incorrectly, are some of the actions which put major stress on the knees as Furo put it.
Training methods are also a key factor to determining whether a player will be exposed to these injuries or not. Physical trainers and coaches need to deploy training methods that are friendlier to the players they are preparing for assignments.
If a player suffers a knee injury then they need adequate time to heal. Technically, it will be cynical to think that one will return to full fitness after six to eight weeks after an ACL injury.
Serious injuries like ACL and meniscus tears can bench a player for six months or longer. The ACL originates on the femur and inserts on the tibia, its purpose is to prevent the tibia from moving too far anterior in relation to the femur as well as control the amount the tibia rotates. The ACL, therefore, plays a major role in stabilizing the knee. Partial or complete tear injuries can occur when a player is hit by another player or lands awkwardly from a jump, according to this article on US Youth Soccer. Buckling of the knee is commonly associated with this kind of injury. Those who play soccer must make sure they do their best to protect their knees, through proper training and rest. Knee injuries are common, but with the right care these injuries can be prevented.