Real Salt Lake midfielder Pablo Ruiz is set to undergo a significant recovery period after undergoing surgery on his right meniscus, the club announced. The procedure comes in the wake of a non-contact injury sustained by Ruiz during a recent match against LAFC in the Leagues Cup, where Real Salt Lake faced a 0-4 defeat.
In 17 games, he started 15 times, amassing a total of 1378 minutes on the field this season. His impact was evident in his four goals and six assists.
The surgery was performed to address a complex tear of the knee cartilage. RSL Senior Director of Athlete Health and Performance, Theron Enns, elaborated on the procedure by stating
"“This procedure repairs a severely-damaged meniscus in Pablo’s right knee. The exact timeline for his return to the field will be determined later as his rehabilitation progresses, but typically this type of repair requires around four to six months to allow the necessary healing and return to full participation. Pablo has already begun his rehabilitation with our medical staff and we will update his progress as we enter the latter months of the season.”"
Ruiz’s absences poses a significant challenge for Real Salt Lake as they navigate a competitive MLS season. Ruiz has been a crucial cog in the team’s gameplay. His absence could potentially impact RSL tactical setup and strategy, as they adjust to his absence both on and off the pitch.
Ruiz himself embarks on a demanding journey of recovery. The rehabilitation process for a knee injury requires both physical and mental resilience. Ruiz will need to work closely with the medical team to regain strength, flexibility, and confidence in his knee.
RSL upcoming fixture in the MLS regular season is set against L.A. Galaxy on August 20th. For those eager to catch the action, the match will be available for streaming on Apple TV through the MLS Season Pass.