Why a wrist fracture rules Arrascaeta out of Flamengo's big games | OneFootball

Arrascaeta was injured this Monday (28) in a friendly during the FIFA international window

Flamengo midfielder Arrascaeta will miss important matches in the final stretch of the season after suffering a wrist fracture in a friendly with the Uruguay National Team during the FIFA international window. Although outfield players do not directly use their hands during a match, more serious injuries to the upper limbs can prevent an athlete from competing.

HOW WAS ARRASCAETA INJURED?

During the friendly between Uruguay and South Korea this Monday (28), the No. 10 slipped on his own, without challenging for the ball, and braced his fall with his left hand on the pitch. Before the incident, the midfielder had already scored a goal and provided an assist. Then head coach Diego Forlán substituted him in the 32nd minute of the second half.

After the match, Arrascaeta underwent medical exams. The results showed a fracture in the player’s left wrist, confirming the seriousness of the fall he suffered on the field.

WHY CAN’T ARRASCAETA PLAY?

Medical guidelines carry more weight in this decision. Arrascaeta’s exams confirmed the fracture and indicated the need for surgery. Because of that, any surgical procedure rules out the practice of sports involving contact and physical impact.

During the operation, doctors place plates or screws to stabilize the bone. Therefore, any blow or bump to that area could displace the bone again. Another impact would put the success of the surgery at risk and could even force a new operation.

In the end, the fact that it is football does not change that decision. Even though outfield players do not use their hands to touch the ball, they fall to the ground, fight for space, use their arms for balance, and run the risk of colliding with opponents, the ball, or the pitch.

IS THERE A RULE THAT PREVENTS ARRASCAETA FROM PLAYING?

Football rules do not prohibit a player from taking the field with an injured wrist. IFAB Law 4 allows the use of protective equipment, provided it is safe. The rules state that soft, lightweight, and padded items are allowed.

However, in practice, the referee must approve the equipment, and it cannot injure other players. If the splint is made of metal, too hard, or too rigid, the officiating crew may ban its use to avoid danger in collisions.

WHEN WILL ARRASCAETA BE ABLE TO PLAY AGAIN?

Physiotherapist Nelson Marques told Coluna do Fla in an interview that Arrascaeta suffered a Colles fracture. According to the specialist, the issue should be resolved within a recovery period of 60 to 90 days. However, he stressed that the timeline varies according to age, the severity of the injury, the surgical technique, and individual conditions.

The initial estimate reported behind the scenes is shorter. According to ESPN, Flamengo’s medical department is projecting around six weeks out. Officially, however, the club has not yet set a timeline.

“The recovery and bone-healing process depends from person to person. Metabolism can help. (…) The issue is the recovery process, the mobility of this joint. That is what will make this process faster or slower. I know Flamengo’s working group, when it comes to physiotherapy, is of excellent quality,” the physiotherapist said.

OUT FOR THE LIBERTADORES?

Because of the fracture, Arrascaeta is expected to miss both matches against Estudiantes (ARG) in the Libertadores semifinal. The first leg is scheduled for October 15 in La Plata. The return leg will take place on the 22nd at the Maracanã.

According to Coluna do Fla, the club is working with the possibility of having the midfielder available only for a potential continental final. Before that, Flamengo requested the player’s immediate return to Brazil, with the approval of doctor Fernando Sassaki. The medical department will then carry out a new evaluation before surgery.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.