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With less than 100 days until the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the US WNT has suffered a huge blow after learning Mallory Swanson ruptured her left patellar tendon against Ireland on April 8.

The 24-year-old has shown her lethal attacking abilities — helping her team claim first in the 2023 SheBelieves Cup and named the MVP of the tournament scoring six goals in six appearances. But it’s unfortunate, that attacking prowess won’t be on displaying during the World Cup this summer. 

Swanson had a successful surgery to repair her patellar tendon on Tuesday, writing on her Instagram:

“This is hard. I’m in shock and don’t have much to say other than, thank you to everyone for the messages. I feel the love and prayers, and holding them close to my heart…”

The injury came during the second half against Ireland, after a collision with her opponent that forced Swanson to the ground. And immediately she waved for help and was later carted off the field and taken to the hospital. 

What is a patellar tendon rupture? 

Unlike an ACL injury, a patellar tendon rupture is a relatively rare injury that commonly occurs when one falls on a bent knee or from a rapid load while the knee is bent. The significant amount of force is what leads to the patellar tendon rupture.

The patellar tendon acts with the quadriceps (muscles along the front of your thigh) as a pulley to help generate a greater force during various activities such as kicking, sprinting, and changing of direction.

And even though the extent of Swanson’s tear is not known, surgery is commonly indicated when there is greater than 50% of tearing, in which the surgeon will repair the tendon back to the bone.

What will Swanson’s rehabilitation look like? 

The Chicago star’s rehabilitation time frame is difficult to determine, without knowing the size and location of the tear. But for many athletes, the recovery may be at least six months before returning back to full sporting activities. 

During the first month, the primary focus will be on maintaining the patella mobility, improving the knee mobility and quadriceps muscle strength.

Within that second month, the goal is to obtain full knee range of motion, good quadriceps control and to progress to walking in a brace.

By the third month, one may be able to walk comfortably, but there are various milestones that need to be met to return to sports specific activities, such as: obtaining full knee motion and at least 80 – 90% of lower leg strength to safely initiate running and plyometrics. While some sports activities may begin around the third month, a return to full activities may not occur until 6 months or later. 

The good news is that at least 52 to 100% (Grondin, 2019, p.523) of patients return to their sport after this type of injury. 

Certainly, the question marks remains who will fill the void with Swanson out, but it is safe to say Swanson will be back on the pitch.