Interview with Rafa’s doctors
Photo by Beth Wilson
as.com posted an interview with Dr. Sánchez and Dr. Anitua today. Thanks to @genny_ss, those of us who are Spanish deficient don’t have to depend on the mangle:
Interview with Eduardo Anitua and Mikel Sánchez, doctors of Rafael Nadal
“Nadal recovered well, this is not a relapse”
Eduardo Anitua created in Vitoria the method to recover from injuries through plasma rich in growth factors. And Dr. Mikel Sanchez is who applies it with Rafa Nadal.
How can this technique speed up the recovery of an athlete?
Sanchez: It depends on the patient and the tissue, which in elite athletes usually is of poorer quality due to wear and tear. At a muscular level, it can be accelerated by 30% of the forseen time. This treatment prevents relapses.
What does it consist of?
Sanchez: With the plasma, cells are stimulated to manufacture tissue. An athlete, who spends more tissue than normal, probably has degenerative lesions in some areas. (The method PRGF-Endoret is based on extracting blood, centrifugating it to concentrate the proteins after separating the part that “does not help to regenerate the tissue” and infiltrating it into the damaged tendon or muscle).
At first there was reluctance
Anitua: With the support of the Anti-doping Spanish Agency and the COE we got all the arguments presented to the IOC in Lausanne, in a hard meeting, where we showed the biological principles and their results. Unanimously it was decided to send a letter to the World Anti-Doping Agency saying that it had nothing to do with doping. They took the baton and within 24 hours it was removed from the list of prohibited substances. In London 2012, most countries have applied it routinely.
And how did Rafael Nadal come your way?
Sanchez: Well, in 2010 with a tendinopathy with bad evolution in his quadriceps, with low athletic performance and after trying numerous treatments. We applied this technique and he had a very quick recovery.
Now that he’s facing his longest period off tour, you are also treating him.
Sanchez: Yes. That injury healed and now it is a new one. It has nothing to do with the previous one. (He has a partially torn patella tendon and inflammation of Hoffa’s fat in the left knee).
Anitua: It is not a relapse, but something entirely different. The root cause, in Rafa, as in other athletes, is the massive overload it’s subjected to.
Agassi once left a well-remembered phrase: ‘He’s writing checks his body can’t cash’, because of his very aggressive way of play. Do you agree?
Sanchez: These checks have been well invested, he has won many titles. Elite sport is never healthy.
You were having dinner with him and the King (of Spain) in Mallorca. Nadal goes crazy when he doesn’t play. How did you find him?
Sanchez: OK, because he is a very sensible person and is making every effort to get back on track.
Anitua: Rafa visited us before the Olympic Games because he wanted to recover to play there. He was very excited to be the flag bearer. But the injury he had then was something that had been dragging not to stop competing. Now he is in an excellent mood and with a great desire to heal.
And how will he be when he is back?
Sanchez: We’re just doctors. We have no crystal ball. But this is just a setback, nothing more. He will return to compete again without problems because the knee joint is perfect.
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News sounds positive . Will return with a perfect knee joint is what we and Rafa want to hear. Hopefully the sacrifices he has had to make now which must have been so hard for him but was the best decision will benefit him next year. God, I hope so.
Us fans are missing him. All we want is for him is to be fit and healthy and can’t wait for his return.
i swear he should get bak soon…its long time now…we miss him alot…
without him tennis is no fun it can never be fun…
he is the soul of tennis for me..
Sounds like positive news for Rafa. Not playing is probably vexing to him, but clearly his body needs this break to recover. Missing him on tour, but know he will return at the right time. Would hate to see him permanently injured – for he has a long life in front of him.
Thanks for this Miri. Sounds very positive. Really missing Rafa playing now the Olympics and ParaOlympics are over. They really helped me during these Rafa free months. Hope he recovers well for 2013!
This is good news. I’m thinking that once this new injury heals, everything will be better for Rafa for the next 4 years. I certainly hope so. Yey!
Rafa’s ” knee joint is perfect”. Best news I’ve heard regarding his injury. No need to rush back just yet. Rafa can let the others take the strain while he recovers, continues to maintain his fitness & eventually gets back on the practice court in November/December when the rest of the ATP are having their off season. Hopefully Rafa will be ready & eager to start the 2013 season like never before.
WHAT A GOOD NEWS FOR ALL OF US. WE CAN PREDICT NOW THAT RAFA IS GOING TO WIN AT LEAST THREE GRAND SLAMS IN 2013.FURTHER,IF HIS KNEES SUPPORT HIM,HE IS GOING TO BE THE BEST TENNIS PLAYER EVER, SMASHING ALL RECORDS!
A perfect knee! God knows how much I would like to see that! Rafa playing pain free! Just hope the time off court doesn’t cause other injuries.
Heath – Any thoughts on this ?
BR,
CO
Hi, CO. I’m pretty certain that an upbeat medical interview was what was requested here. After such a long break from the game, everyone wants to hear good news about Rafa and this news sounds good.
The way I see it, PRP will have accelerated the healing of the microtear in Rafa’s fibrosed patellar tendon, especially as he has followed medical advice and rested himself properly. He hasn’t needed surgery to trim the fat pad in that left knee so the rest, physio and conservative treatment option has worked for him there too. In other words, Rafa has given himself the best possible chance of resuming his career at the best possible level of competitiveness by doing everything to ensure that when he returns, his knee will be in the ‘best possible’ condition – given the nature of tendinopathy. So, I’m surprised they used the word ‘perfect’ to describe Rafa’s knee. Optimal condition, yes – but perfect, no.
Indeed. As the doc himself said, he has no crystal ball and cannot predict Rafa’s future performance. I certainly hope that a miracle occurs and Rafa’s knee is “perfecto” when he returns. But it would be prudent to expect somewhat less than that. If he can play high-intensity tennis pain-free, that would be wonderful.
“If he can play high-intensity tennis pain-free, that would be wonderful.” Totally agree, Melissa – that would indeed be wonderful!
I am happy to know the positive news. Just cannot wait to see our Rafa back on court. Stronger, fitter and hungrier. I miss seeing him on my tv :(
Heath, i always appreciate your frank perspective and direct approach to issues. It enables me come to terms wt d real situation of the matter at hand. Thank you.
How is Venice by the way? or are u back?? ;)
thanks, Jummy :)
And Venice was wonderful – as it always is! I came back Friday :)
Good to hear positive news on Rafa’s well being.
Just missing him soooooooooooooooo much! Glad he is listening to his specialist & doing what is right for his body.. And what a body, legs, arms, butt, head he has. :D