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On September 22, Barcelona beat Villarreal (1-5). However, it was a pyrrhic victory, which left a bittersweet taste for football fans. Ter Stegen went out to block an aerial ball and in the fall he made poor support with his right knee.
His reaction and that of all his teammates revealed to us in advance that it was a serious injury. The medical report confirmed the worst omens: The goalkeeper suffered a complete rupture of the patellar tendon in his right knee. He was operated on the next day by Dr. Joan Carles Monllau.
Encouraging news from the German Federation
A few weeks ago, the sporting director of the German Federation, Rudi Völler, conveyed a message of hope. He reported the possibility that the Barça goalkeeper could wear shorts again before the end of this season. Furthermore, he explained that the German team continues to trust him for the 2026 World Cup.
For the first time, after Neuer’s decision to leave the national team, Ter Stegen had become a starter for the German team. Luck, however, took it with him. In recent days, we have seen the goalkeeper visiting some of the training sessions led by Naggelsmann.
At Barça they are clear that no risks should be taken and that the player must recover fully. However, it seems that the club’s medical services are hitting the nail on the head and that his recovery could be faster than initially expected.
The infallible treatment
But… What is the magic recipe? Ter Stegen is undergoing a pioneering stem cell treatment in the world. The cost is 13,000 euros, affordable for Barça, and has a guarantee of success, as demonstrated by previous patients. Some athletes, like Ferrao, a futsal player, also passed through it.
The operation, roughly speaking, is as follows, as you have learned Sport: Firstly, bone marrow cells are extracted at the level of the pelvis, in this case from Ter Stegen. After 20 days, the good ones are grown and selected. Once the cultured cells arrive, they are implanted into the patient.
A relief for Barça
The technique is led by Dr. Robert Soler. Its main advantage is that the player can include loading jobs in the recovery much earlier than planned.
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There is another aspect to take into account, and of great importance considering the goalkeeper’s history of knee injuries. The treatment regenerates the ruptured tendon for life, so the risk of relapse is greatly reduced.
How has Ter Stegen’s injury affected Barcelona’s defensive strategy in their subsequent matches?
Questions:
1. Can you discuss the specifics of the injury sustained by Ter Stegen and how it impacted Barcelona’s win against Villarreal?
2. What is the likelihood of Ter Stegen returning to play for Barcelona and the German national team in the near future?
3. What innovative treatments is Ter Stegen undergoing to aid in his recovery process, and how long is his estimated recovery time?
4. How does the early introduction of loading jobs into the recovery process affect an athlete’s overall recovery time and readiness for competition?
5. Can you expand on the specifics of the stem cell treatment being used for Ter Stegen and how it differs from traditional recovery methods?
6. What are the long-term implications of this treatment for athletes who have undergone similar knee injuries, particularly in terms of reducing the risk of relapse?
7. What challenges does Barcelona face in filling the void left by Ter Stegen during his absence, both in terms of finding a suitable replacement and ensuring the team’s overall performance is not compromised?
8. How has the club handled the news of the injury in terms of maintaining morale and focus within the team?
9. Can you discuss the role of Dr. Robert Soler in developing and implementing this treatment, and his reputation within the sports medicine community?
