Nutrition in Combat Sports

232 R.R. Wroble
13.4.6 Meniscus Injuries
A higher ratio of lateral to medial meniscus tears occurs in wrestling than in any other
sport (Baker et al. 1985 ). In most sports, lateral meniscus tears comprise 25% of all
meniscus tears. In two wrestling studies, lateral meniscus tears made up to 46% of the
total (Estwanik et al. 1980 , Wroble et al. 1986a) . Baker et al. also noted 45% lateral
versus medial meniscectomy in their study of 56 meniscectomies in wrestlers.
13.4.7 Ligament Injuries
Taken together, ligament sprains comprise the most common knee injuries in wrestling.
The overwhelming majority of ligament injuries, however, occur to the medial and
lateral collateral ligaments tears. Once again, a relatively high number of lateral injuries
are seen. The cruciates are injured less often, in contrast to American football. Anterior
cruciate ligamentears were noted in only 4 of 136 injuries in one series (Wroble et al.
1986a) and 14 of 256 cases in another (Estwanik et al. 1980) . Not surprisingly, most
injuries occur during takedowns with the defending wrestler being injured most often.
Some wrestlers may function reasonably well in the short term with anterior
cruciate-deficient knees because the demands of the sport are such that the knee is
uncommonly in a position where tibial subluxation could occur. Nonetheless, most
wrestlers will not have satisfactory function in their sport, and, in most wrestlers
the ACL-deficient knee will produce long-term problems. We, therefore, generally
recommend ACL reconstruction with return to wrestling at about 6 months.
Functional braces are of questionable value. Psychologically, it seems to cause
a big disadvantage to the wrestler, making them more aware of their own disability.
They also know that their opponent is aware of it and may try to exploit it. In addition,
we are skeptical that a brace will afford any substantial protection. On the
other hand, those wrestlers who do use functional braces must have them taped and
padded for matches and practice. Wrestling rules dictate that any device must be
protected so that it cannot cause injury to the opponent by sharp corners or exposed
metal, etc. The rules also state that braces may not limit motion.
13.4.7.1 Foot and Ankle Injuries
The most common ankle injury is the lateral ligament sprain, which most often
occurs during takedowns. We have identified two specific mechanisms. First, when
a wrestler attempts to throw his opponent and rises onto his toes and twists, a
momentary loss of balance may cause him to roll over his ankle into an inverted
position. The second occurs to the defensive man during the takedown. When his
opponent lifts one of his legs, his support remains on a single foot. As his opponent
attempts to bring him to the mat by various combinations of rapid changes in direction
or trips, inversion stress can occur. Most often, these sprains are first degree.
Overall in prospective studies, ankle injuries have ranged from 3.9% to 9.7% of
total wrestling injuries. In a 2-year study of seven college wrestling teams, ankle