A new, evidence-based ACL protocol designed to help professional and recreational athletes in the Middle East return to sport following injury is being launched at Arab Health 2020.
Informed by the latest research in the field of sports medicine, the new visual aid has been developed by sports injury treatment specialist Isokinetic, a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence – one of only 49 clinics across the world – based in London’s renowned Harley Street Medical Area.
Treatment following an ACL injury – a tear or sprain of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), one of the major knee ligaments in the knee – requires a lengthy supervised exercise and rehabilitation programme for patients following surgery.
Isokinetic’s new protocol succinctly brings this information together in a one page, user friendly resource – providing guidance and advice on rehabilitation for patients who have had ACL reconstruction (a type of knee surgery to replace the ACL).
ACL injuries are one of the most common types of knee injuries, accounting for around 40% of all sports injuries. In the UAE, they are reported to be five times more common than in other parts of the world – and are on the rise. Studies have shown reinjury rates to be also higher among professional male football players in the Middle East. Isokinetik – a recognised centre of excellence – hopes to offer a new route to prevention for these patients.
Mike Davison, who heads up the Isokinetic Harley Street Clinic, said: “We are launching in Middle East because we believe strongly that prevention is better than cure. The levels of primary and secondary ACL injuries in the region are the highest in the world – and are still on the rise – and we would like to support a significant reduction in these areas. 16% of patients in our London clinic are knee-related injuries originating from the region.”
Specialists attribute the prevalence of knee injuries in the Middle East to the slight anatomical variances in knee structure among people of Arab and Asian origin – the tibia, the bone connecting the knee to the ankle, is said to be more slanted, making it more susceptible to an ACL rupture.
Cultural differences are also said to contribute to this. Prolonged kneeling, for example, such as in prayer, causes the knee to become more flexible and places more pressure on the knee joint, which may make it more prone to injury. Alongside this, diet and nutrition – the inadequate nutritional intake of Vitamin D and calcium in the region – could also play a part, as well as the higher incidence of osteoarthritis in the Middle East – a degenerative joint disease that wears away the cartilage between the bones.
Focused on functional criteria to progress rather than the common practice to focus on time, Isokinetic’s unique ACL protocol – available in English and Arabic – provides these patients with a clear, new guide to recovery.
Isokinetic is a FIFA-accredited Medical Centre of Excellence, internationally recognised as a leader in football medicine. The specialist clinic is located within the Harley Street Medical Area, London – an area famed for its medical excellence in treating complex and life-threatening conditions. The area, managed by long-term landlord The Howard de Walden Estate, brings together a community of world-renowned medical professionals.
The Arab Health Exhibition & Congress is taking place from 27-30 January 2020 at the Dubai Convention and Exhibition Centre. Throughout the exhibition, Isokinetic will be located on the Harley Street Medical Area Stand on the UK Pavilion (hall 2 stand H2.H30).
