Victor Cruz Injured - Patellar Ligament Tear

Injury is a part of every sport. It is very common, especially with contact sports such as football. In the recent past, two sports injuries have occurred which have had devastating effects on their respective teams whose players are Neymar Junior and Victor Michael Cruz. The former had a serious vertebral fracture, which could have potentially paralysed him. The latter had a knee injury – a torn patellar tendon.  When compared to complications one could have had, Victor Cruz’s injury is not as potentially dangerous as that of Neymar. However, it has definitely stopped his show this season. We wish and pray he recovers soon just as Neymar did.

What is patellar ligament?

Patellar tendon is a structure that joins the kneecap (patella) to the top of the shinbone (tibia). It acts both as support and as a tow that pulls the shin forward when you extend your knee joint. It consists of fibres that extend from the ligaments of the quadriceps muscles. When the quadriceps contract, it pulls the patella up; which further pulls the shinbone up through the patellar ligament. This action as you can realize is what pulls your leg forward and straightens it.

How did Victor Cruz sustain the injury?

Victor Michael Cruz as we know is a star wide receiver of New York Giant’s football team. During his live match two weeks ago against Eagles, Cruz came down holding his knee. It all occurred during the third quarter as Cruz leaped to collect the ball. Now the patellar ligament is generally strong enough to with stand forces. However, a strong force such as a sudden springing action as a jump from a bent knee or a strong impact on bent knee as in a fall on bent knee can damage this patellar tendon.  Further to this, small damages and inflammation (tendonitis) can make tendons weak. Over a period, the weak tendon is easily prone to rupture even with moderate forces.

Following the match, Cruz coach reported Victor experienced pain as he jumped to collect the ball. This claim was confirmed by Victor himself couple of days earlier.

Types of Patellar tendon tear:

It isn’t clear how much of Victor Cruz’s patellar tendon was damaged. Medically, it is a complete tear if the tendon is torn completely and partial tear when some fibres of the tendon are intact. Unless the tear is limited to a very small area, both partial tear and complete tear need surgical correction; the earlier the correction, the better the outcome.

What is the treatment?

Just as in any injury the immediate treatment is immobilization and application of an ice pack. The limb should be iced for 10-20 minutes repeatedly every hour. The knee should be made to rest preferably at an elevated level to avoid further damage and to bring down the swelling. Pain medication can numb the pain. After further radiological investigations, surgery should be planned at the earliest.

Accordingly, Victor Cruz was operated on the very next day. There are different forms of corrections. Currently surgeons use sutures and attach the torn end of the ligament to the patella through holes drilled in the patella. An option to anchor the sutures to the patella instead of tying them through drilled holes is being developed. This option will save us from drilling holes into the bone (patella).

Future of Victor Cruz:

At present, Cruz is in the process of recovery.

Generally, post this kind of surgery the sutures of the surgery might need to be removed after 2 weeks. A slab to support the limb is used to avoid direct weight bearing for the next 4-6 weeks. Thereafter, a long process of rehabilitation is required, that can last up to 4-8 months. Should things go right, Victor Cruz should be able to perform normal activities and even play within the next 8-10 months.

What should be done to prevent such injuries?

Patellar tendon repair is an injury that is common in the field of sports. Other occupations have fewer tendencies to injure the patellar tendon. However, as a means of precaution I request all my readers to report any type of knee pain to the doctor. Tendon inflammation due to its overuse or minor trauma can weaken this ligament over a period of time and as I said earlier, a weak ligament is prone to an easy tear. In addition to this, all those who aspire to become an athlete, remember to keep your thigh muscles strong and always stretch before any sporting event. Keeping yourself fit and strong along with stretching exercises prevent you from any untoward injury including patellar tendon tears.