Pariah said:
A couple of years ago everyone was getting high-ankle sprains. Then it was the dreaded Lis Franc. This year it seems to be torn miniscus.
Why do injuries seem to go through cycles? Do training staffs have conventions where the key note speaker talks about them?
Seriously, does anyone else notice this, or is it simply a result of my warped perception of the world around me?
Yes, Athletic Trainers and other sports medicine professionals (Physicians, Physical Therapists) all go to conventions where they earn continuing education units to keep their respective license.
However, I think that you are getting a false sense of this because the Cardinals or other high profile players in the league happen to have more meniscus injuries than what seems normal.
Another part of this is I think that players and surgeons are opting for surgery on these more frequently. Players and physicians used to think it was OK to play with a torn meniscus (depending on the severity) and get surgery after the season.
However when they saw the long term effects of playing on a torn meniscus or returning too quickly from the meniscus repair or menisectomy (removal) you start affecting the hyaline cartilage or bone itself and start to get into the dreaded "microfracture" situation. I believe Wadsworth and Swann are both excellent examples of guys trying to play through certain things and it ended up negatively affecting their careers.
Guys are now chosing the conservative route which may cost them half a season but save them seasons in the long run.
