Real Sociedad Medic: “We have regulated Ødegaard’s load and the goal is to avoid surgery”

One of Real Sociedad’s medic, Javier Barreda, spoke to Cadena Ser and Radio San Sebastián to discuss the squads injuries, including Real Madrid loanee Martin Ødegaard.

“Patellar tendinopathy of the right knee takes several months to heal. It is a very heavy injury, one that happens to many athletes, and does not have a very clear treatment that can be effective,” Barreda explained.

“We have undergone physiotherapy treatment, his load has been regulated, and he has stopped playing some games. We thought that would be positive and that confinement would be positive. After starting to train, he was better than before the confinement but then in the Madrid game, the knee hurt a lot and prevented him from playing comfortable.”

Barreda went on to explain that his staff and Real Madrid are in communication and agreement over next steps with the ultimate goal of avoiding relegation. “This is how we started to move, we have talked to Martin, we also had a consultation in Barcelona. What we are trying to do is explain other treatments. We are trying to avoid surgical treatment so that he can play what he can until the end of the season in the best possible way.

“The problem is that this injury is very limiting, but it can be cured with care and conservative treatment. We have had other players recovered. In principle, among all those around him, we, Real Madrid and their medical adviser, have decided to avoid surgical treatment. The idea is not to operate after the end of the league, but we will also see the injuries evolution,” Barreda said.

And finally, discussion moved to the probability of Ødegaard staying:

“We all want him to stay, the boy is comfortable, but I have not asked him. When we do what we do, it is thinking that he is going to stay, that he is ours. If I knew that he is going to leave and he is not going to be here next year, he would act differently. Real Madrid is informed of everything, but we have acted with great autonomy,” he revealed.

“Although we pay special attention to the patient, in this case Martin. We cannot say anything about the new treatment, but I do tell you that the operating room has been avoided, because nobody is assured that surgery will allow him to recover completely.”

Real Madrid fans will be keeping close attention to any injury updates regarding their prized asset. Ødegaard played 45 minutes in today’s match vs Espanyol, despite the recent injury flare-up. Time will tell if this injury dramatically impacts Ødegaard’s long term career progression.