Knee injuries overshadow Women's World Cup and spark calls for research
Knee injuries have caused numerous top players to miss the Women's World Cup, prompting calls for more research into the cause. Spain's Alexia Putellas has recovered from rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, but many other leading players will be absent. The tournament in Australia and New Zealand starts on Thursday, with Spain's Putellas recovering from a torn patella tendon in her left knee. The United States is diminished by the loss of Mallory Swanson to a torn patella tendon in her left knee, while Catarina Macario did not overcome a torn ACL in time. European champions England are without star striker Beth Mead and defender Leah Williamson, as both recover from ruptured ACLs.
Vivianne Miedema, the prolific Netherlands striker, and the French duo Delphine Cascarino and Marie-Antoinette Katoto also suffered World Cup heartache due to serious knee injuries. Christine Press, another major absentee, is set for a fourth operation on an ACL injury she suffered just over a year ago. The incidence of ACL injuries in women players is "four times at least, maybe six times" that of men, and hormonal changes related to the menstrual cycle have been mentioned as potentially increasing the risk. Adidas, one of the main kit providers for teams at the World Cup, takes the issue "incredibly seriously" and has a long-standing legacy in designing products for women athletes.
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