OE JOURNAL
OE Journal
Vol. 14 | Iss. 11 | July 2026 - 32 Studies
Questions This Issue Explores
In patients with femoral neck fractures, how do dynamic hip screws and femoral neck systems compare with respect to peri-operative, functional, and adverse event outcomes?
In patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon autograft, does femoral tunnel creation using anteromedial portal antegrade drilling compared with retrograde drilling result in different patient-reported outcomes and complication rates?
In athletes participating in organized sports, do ACL injury prevention programs compared with no prevention program reduce the risk of ACL rupture?
What are the major injuries occurring prior and during the World Cup this year, and what is the evidence around their management?
In adults undergoing thoracic or lumbar vertebral fracture surgery, does sublingual buprenorphine compared with intravenous pethidine result in different postoperative pain severity during the first 24 hours after surgery?
ORIGINAL ANALYSIS
Sidelined Before Kickoff: ACL Injuries and Their Impact on the 2026 FIFA World Cup!
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, injuries are set to keep several star players off the pitch. Soccer has one of the highest rates of ACL injuries, which often require surgery and up to a year of rehabilitation. While players such as Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, and Mohamed Salah are expected to recover in time, others, including Rodrygo, Éder Militão, and Ben White, are likely to miss the tournament. As the biggest World Cup in history kicks off, the impact of ACL injuries will be felt far beyond the sidelines, highlighting the challenges athletes face on the road back to competition.
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Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention Programs: Training to Stay in the Game
18 studies (9 randomized controlled trials and 9 prospective cohort studies) including 25 166 athletes were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention programs versus standard training or no prevention program. Pooled outcomes of interest included ACL injury incidence, female athlete outcomes, age-specific outcomes (<18 vs ≥18 years), sport-specific outcomes (soccer and handball), and balance board–based interventions. Overall, athletes who participated in ACL injury prevention programs had a substantially lower risk of ACL rupture than controls. Significant reductions were observed across female athletes, younger and older athletes, soccer and handball players, and programs incorporating balance board training. Neuromuscular ACL injury prevention programs significantly reduce ACL injury risk and should be routinely incorporated into athletic training programs to decrease the burden of ACL injuries.
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