The Growing Problem
In recent years, Nev has noticed a significant increase in sports injuries around the knee in children, with more and more young people requiring surgical intervention. The most striking increase is in injuries related to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
This is a devastating injury for young athletes, both in the short term—with a year off sports and lengthy rehabilitation—and in the long term, with an increased risk of knee arthritis in their young adult lives.
ACL injuries place a huge burden on the NHS and probably come second only to concussion as the most serious and pressing sports-related injuries in today's current climate.
The Solution
If injury prevention programs were in place for the young UK population, this could potentially prevent 50% of these injuries from happening in the first place, with massive savings to the individual, the family, their teams and the wider health service and society.
There is substantial evidence from studies around the world—particularly from Scandinavia, Australia and the US—showing that youth injury prevention programs, when carried out correctly, are successful in reducing numbers of significant injuries in children's sports.
Unfortunately, in the UK we are somewhat behind in even recognising these programs, let alone introducing them into our sports clubs and schools.
Different sports bodies do have their own programs, for example, FIFA 11+ for football and Activate for Rugby. However, due to many different reasons, these programs are only being followed by a small minority of children.
Nev's Work in Injury Prevention
Nev has a particular interest and passion for reducing sporting injuries and promoting injury prevention programs. He has been involved in several initiatives in recent years and is often invited to speak at various conferences about injury prevention.
Power Up to Play
Nev is a trustee for the UK sports injury prevention charity Power Up to Play, who are working tirelessly towards improving UK knowledge and understanding of these important injury prevention practices.
Conference Speaking Engagements
Nev has spoken at:
Warwick Sports Knee Conference at St. Georges Park, Burton-on-Trent (2018) and Edgbaston Cricket Ground
British Orthopaedic Association Congress – Aberdeen (2021), Liverpool (2023)
The Kids Knee Conference – Sheffield (2022)
International Learning
Nev applied for and was awarded a BSCOS Consultant Bursary which enabled him to travel to visit Dr. Engebretsen and his team at Skadefri in Oslo. Skadefri is the Norwegian national injury prevention program which is spearheading the world's fight against preventable sports injuries.
Nev has made it his mission to bring together all interested parties in the UK and meet with other world experts to develop a solution which will begin to decrease this injury burden to our UK children.
Media Appearances
Sky Sports (June 2023) Nev appeared on Sky Sports with fellow trustees talking about the charity and the rise in ACL injuries.
Explained: Why teenage ACL injuries are on the rise
Podcasts
Nev has been invited to speak on several podcasts:
BSCOS Research Podcast about the charity – Listen here
Royal Society of Medicine – T&O Podcast – Listen here
The BBC Sports Desk Podcast with Katie Smith – Listen here
Ongoing Partnerships
Further work continues with relationships building with:
Oxfordshire and Berkshire FA
The Manchester United Foundation
Football Association Wales 🏴
Watch this space as we continue to develop this important project in the UK.
