Here’s everything you need to know about Rafael Nadal’s doctor, who is treating the Spaniard’s rare disease
Dr. Ángel Ruiz-Cotorro – the chief doctor of Rafael Nadal, is a highly renowned medical professional and surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine and Traumatology on a global scale. He founded the Clinical Mapfre de Medicina del Tenis with the primary goal of offering specialized healthcare services to tennis players of various levels and athletes from different disciplines.
Dr. Ruiz-Cotorro also serves as the leader of the Medical Services division for the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation. He has held crucial medical roles at seven Olympic Games, overseeing the health of both male and female tennis teams, as well as lending his expertise to events like the Spanish Davis Cup, Fed Cup, and prestigious Grand Slam tournaments, including Wimbledon, Roland Garros, the US Open, and the Australian Open.
Additionally, he serves as the personal physician for renowned tennis superstar Rafael Nadal and has provided medical care to other notable tennis figures such as Arantxa Sanchez and Juan Martin del Potro, in addition to individuals of all ages, whether they are athletes or non-athletes.
Ángel Ruiz-Cotorro was among the trio of medical professionals who participated in the recent surgical procedure performed on Rafael Nadal in Barcelona. This team also included Jaume Vilaró and Marc Philippon, who have previously treated notable players like Gustavo Kuerten, Milos Raonic, and Lleyton Hewitt. The arthroscopic surgery aimed to address Nadal’s left psoas tendon injury, which had sidelined him since the Australian Open earlier this year. The procedure involved the removal of fibrotic and degenerated portions of the tendon, both proximally and distally, while reinforcing it through stitching. Additionally, the team attended to a previous injury to the labrum in Nadal’s left hip.
Ruiz-Cotorro holds an optimistic outlook on the recovery of the Spanish tennis star. Nadal intends to make a comeback in 2024 and retire after that season. The doctor disclosed that Nadal has already initiated his rehabilitation process.
Which disease does Rafael Nadal suffer from?
Injuries have indeed been an integral part of Rafael Nadal’s career. Despite these challenges, the Spanish tennis icon has achieved the extraordinary, securing 22 Grand Slam titles, including an astounding 13 victories at Roland Garros, which have rewritten significant chapters in tennis history.
Nevertheless, Nadal has consistently grappled with specific injuries that have never allowed him to fully recover, resulting in numerous challenges throughout his illustrious career. Notably, the Mueller-Weiss syndrome, which was first diagnosed 17 years ago, continues to be a persistent factor in Nadal’s career, posing even more significant hurdles during this latter phase of his tennis journey.
Rafael Nadal experienced a remarkable season in 2022, but he did face challenges related to his foot early in the year. He openly shared that his injured foot caused him discomfort during his 7-6, 7-6 victory against Reilly Opelka at the Indian Wells Masters last year. A year later, injuries have led to his withdrawal from several tournaments. The question now lingers about whether Nadal can stage a strong comeback in 2024, given that his foot issues appear to be worsening over time.
What is the Mueller-Weiss Syndrome?
Mueller-Weiss syndrome is an infrequent medical condition characterized by the progressive collapse and fragmentation of the navicular bone in adults. This condition is typically marked by pain and deformity in the mid- and hindfoot regions. It is most frequently observed in females between the ages of 40 and 60. Diagnostic imaging typically reveals lateral collapse of the navicular bone. Historically, this condition was believed to be a type of adult-onset osteonecrosis, where blood flow to the navicular bone is compromised.
Rafael Nadal has been grappling with symptoms of Mueller-Weiss syndrome in his left foot since the early stages of his tennis career, which began in his late teens. He received an official diagnosis in 2005 but postponed surgery for as long as possible. In 2021, he eventually underwent surgery. Remarkably, despite playing through persistent pain, Nadal managed to successfully continue his tennis career, even securing victories at the 2022 Australian Open and French Open. To cope with the discomfort, during the French Open, he received two numbing injections and anti-inflammatories before each of his seven matches, ultimately winning the tournament while playing on a numb foot.
Conclusion
Rafael Nadal’s doctor, Dr. Ángel Ruiz-Cotorro, is a renowned specialist in Sports Medicine and Traumatology, overseeing the healthcare of tennis players globally. Nadal has faced persistent challenges due to the Mueller-Weiss syndrome, a rare condition affecting his left foot, which required surgery in 2021 but didn’t hinder his successful career, including recent victories at Grand Slam tournaments.
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