Are DESSO pitches linked to an increase in ACL injuries?

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CharnockBlade

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Following on from the news that Callum semple is apparently the latest blade to have the injury it made me think of the number of cruciate ligament injuries there has been in the last 5 years or so, not specifically with us (although there have been a few). Now I haven't seen any studies linking the two but this just happens to coincide with the number of desso/desso type pitches being brought into the leagues over here skyrocketing and got me thinking that there could be something to it.

Having never played on this type of surface I wouldn't know how they compare to just grass surfaces but from listening to ex-pro's discussing them they sound like they have much less give in them and are harder due to the compact nature in which they're put down. This could have a part to play as players twist and turn as they do while playing football where grass would've come up before without any issue it's now much tougher due to the synthetics anchoring the ground together, thus causing studs to stick and knees to buckle.

It could also been down to the way the game has developed tempo wise during this period and slightly before, while tackling has died off the number of small players who are able to jink and change direction much quicker has increased generally putting more strain on joints and everything contained within them, as a result this type of injury has increased?

Thirdly could it be down to better diagnosing of knee complaints due to better technology and more understanding of the anatomy of the knee? Now it can be accurately diagnosed whereas in the past it may have been seen simply as a 'broken knee' or something?

I appreciate many people will find this boring and totally irrelevant but as someone who has ruptured their ACL I find it interesting as to what has caused the large increase over the last few years in the professional game. It's a horrible injury no matter what type of player you are and one that requires a huge amount of mental strength to battle your way back from. Something which I did not have enough of. In short I wish Callum all the best with his recovery and with daily physio let's hope he recovers to fullfill his potential! :)
 



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well, before i quit playing competitively i experienced more non impact injuries on 3g than grass. worst one was a completely ruptured achilles which occurred whilst starting a sprint chasing a through ball. could be a coincidence but who knows
 
well, before i quit playing competitively i experienced more non impact injuries on 3g than grass. worst one was a completely ruptured achilles which occurred whilst starting a sprint chasing a through ball. could be a coincidence but who knows
I hope you recovered well mate! I appreciate it makes me look like a nutter typing all that out, It just interested me that's all. Each to their own and what not :)
 
I'd post a shit meme but I've got a question first:

Has Semple done his ACL?

I'm not convinced there's been a big increase, but if there has been I'd say it's due to the intensity of the modern game.

One thing that surprises me is how many clubs at the top level don't hesitate to sign players who've had ACL injuries. Once you've had one you're very vulnerable to having another - you see it time and time again, so with the amounts of money involved I'm surprised anybody's willing to take the risks. One in particular I have in mind is Callum Wilson, West Brom bid around £20m for him yet Bournemouth wouldn't entertain it - then he goes and does his ACL again a week later. Both clubs have to be questioned in this scenario. Neither were very wise.
It's such a shame for Wilson because he relies on his pace and agility and it looked like he was on his way to some England caps.
 
I'd post a shit meme but I've got a question first:

Has Semple done his ACL?

I'm not convinced there's been a big increase, but if there has been I'd say it's due to the intensity of the modern game.

One thing that surprises me is how many clubs at the top level don't hesitate to sign players who've had ACL injuries. Once you've had one you're very vulnerable to having another - you see it time and time again, so with the amounts of money involved I'm surprised anybody's willing to take the risks. One in particular I have in mind is Callum Wilson, West Brom bid around £20m for him yet Bournemouth wouldn't entertain it - then he goes and does his ACL again a week later. Both clubs have to be questioned in this scenario. Neither were very wise.
It's such a shame for Wilson because he relies on his pace and agility and it looked like he was on his way to some England caps.
I think someone on here mentioned he had and someone also retweeted him saying he was in for surgery next week.
Unbelievablely unluckily for Callum Wilson he's done the other knee to whichever he had done in the first place!
 
I think someone on here mentioned he had and someone also retweeted him saying he was in for surgery next week.
Unbelievablely unluckily for Callum Wilson he's done the other knee to whichever he had done in the first place!

Didn't realise that. At least he'll be balanced again!
 
Funnily enough, I have just checked and the Thorpe Arch pitches where Callum Semple had his injury is 3G and not grass. Though, I still say it was the nasty tackle that caused the injury.
 
From what i know Callum Semple has ruptured his ACL.

It was not done at The Lane but at Leeds when a forward tackled him from behind and he twisted his knee ( as Northyorkblade has said). He will be out for up to 12 months. I have heard surgery is next week or the week after depending how it feels. Strangely he was walking about after the game he damaged his knee.

It is a nasty injury but with Physio every day and commitment every day from Semple he will come back mentally and physically stronger. Just what you need a young centre back to have in bucket loads. Being a 23s watcher i feel deeply sorry for the lad and i am sure many 23s watchers will feel the same.......

Ricky, i think you would be extremely surprised as to the number of players who have had this injury and carried on playing with no issues at all. Google it and you will see.
 



From what i know Callum Semple has ruptured his ACL.

It was not done at The Lane but at Leeds when a forward tackled him from behind and he twisted his knee ( as Northyorkblade has said).

It was also a very unnecessary challenge - being within 2 or 3 yards of the corner flag.
 
Ricky, i think you would be extremely surprised as to the number of players who have had this injury and carried on playing with no issues at all. Google it and you will see.

I always pay attention to this and while many won't suffer a recurrence it's rare for a player to come back the same let alone 'stronger' as they like to tell themselves they will.

Massive shame about Semple. Hopefully he's the type of player who won't be affected as much.
 
theres only one reason for all the cruciate ligament injuries
modern training methods
all about athleticism speed , some legs cant take it
every team does everything to the limit
skill gets sidelined for speed most of the time but its making ligaments vulnerable
when stretching for tackles the pressure on ligaments now is far greater when it was jogging round cones
 
Sorry to hear about Callum Semple. I will miss watching him play for the 23s. I particularly enjoy watching the defensive side of our team particularly the way the lad plays his position in the modern way by mixing strength and skill. I am sure he will be well attended to by our excellent Academy officials and I have no doubt the lad will do his part to ensure a full recovery. I am looking forward to seeing him when he is fully fit again.
It is a fact that if the recovery program is followed then the affected knee will be stronger than the other knee and that may be why Wilson at Bournemouth has injured his other knee. Wish him Well
 
theres only one reason for all the cruciate ligament injuries
modern training methods
all about athleticism speed , some legs cant take it
every team does everything to the limit
skill gets sidelined for speed most of the time but its making ligaments vulnerable
when stretching for tackles the pressure on ligaments now is far greater when it was jogging round cones
I think we need to be wary of assuming all ACL injuries are the players fault from pushing their bodies to the limits.
Callum Semple was injured as a result of a bad tackle and as I can make out he was not particularly running !!
 
I think we need to be wary of assuming all ACL injuries are the players fault from pushing their bodies to the limits.
Callum Semple was injured as a result of a bad tackle and as I can make out he was not particularly running !!
there will always be collision injuries , but theres far more innocuous injuries than ever of late
the grass underneath is of little consequence
 
Interesting theory. My mate horrifically broke his ankle in front of me on a 3g pitch while wearing blades as his foot got stuck while turning. I've played on the desso at the Lane tho and it felt quite normal to me. Never felt like I was getting my feet stuck or risking injury.
 
CharnockBlade ive been looking into this myself recently and have yet to find any evidence based research to suggest that DESSO or similar surfaces are to blame.

Will try to post more in next few days when I have chance

First time I did my ACL it was on 3G with blades boots, actually had two ops, but 1 tear and two ruptures on the same knee. So although it's fine now, it's a subject close to my heart or ligament
 
Torn my MCL a few times, ruptured my ACL and LCL and tore my PCL on 3G but don't think it was the pitch that caused them. It is strange, though, how these injuries seem to becoming more commonplace in modern football
 
Sorry to hear about Semple's injury - assuming he gets back to full fitness I think he has a bright future in the game.
In the old days of muddy pitches there was always some "give" if you got whacked around the knee. Improvements in pitches and footwear mean your foot is more likely to be anchored in position, so a bad twisting injury is more likely.
 
Boots, pitches, speed of the game, number of games.
I personally think the speed of the game makes injury more likely.
 



Following on from the news that Callum semple is apparently the latest blade to have the injury it made me think of the number of cruciate ligament injuries there has been in the last 5 years or so, not specifically with us (although there have been a few). Now I haven't seen any studies linking the two but this just happens to coincide with the number of desso/desso type pitches being brought into the leagues over here skyrocketing and got me thinking that there could be something to it.

Having never played on this type of surface I wouldn't know how they compare to just grass surfaces but from listening to ex-pro's discussing them they sound like they have much less give in them and are harder due to the compact nature in which they're put down. This could have a part to play as players twist and turn as they do while playing football where grass would've come up before without any issue it's now much tougher due to the synthetics anchoring the ground together, thus causing studs to stick and knees to buckle.

It could also been down to the way the game has developed tempo wise during this period and slightly before, while tackling has died off the number of small players who are able to jink and change direction much quicker has increased generally putting more strain on joints and everything contained within them, as a result this type of injury has increased?

Thirdly could it be down to better diagnosing of knee complaints due to better technology and more understanding of the anatomy of the knee? Now it can be accurately diagnosed whereas in the past it may have been seen simply as a 'broken knee' or something?

I appreciate many people will find this boring and totally irrelevant but as someone who has ruptured their ACL I find it interesting as to what has caused the large increase over the last few years in the professional game. It's a horrible injury no matter what type of player you are and one that requires a huge amount of mental strength to battle your way back from. Something which I did not have enough of. In short I wish Callum all the best with his recovery and with daily physio let's hope he recovers to fullfill his potential! :)

I found that very interesting actually and there may be a connection between an ungiving surface and these type of injuries.

I also think that today's players are more athletic and perhaps more prone to injuries?

It may be down to the silly flimsy boots they wear without proper studs?

And it may be down to junk food and the increase in automatic vehicles which means the clutch foot isn't needed?
 

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