The Steadman-Hawkins Clinic has become one of the best sports injury treatment centers in the world. Through research, Dr. Richard Steadman and the staff at the Steadman Hawkins Research Foundation have solved a wide array of orthopaedic problems related to the knee. . Professional athletes from all sports, in particular European soccer stars, have been coming to the Vail clinic for treatment of their severe knee injuries.
In early January of 2000, one of England's top scoring strikers, Newcastle's United's Alan Shearer, was among the first European soccer stars to take the trip across the pond for a visit with Dr. Steadman. Shearer's career looked to be in shambles due to a major knee injury that seemed to be career ending. A severe ligament injury to the right knee, complicated by tendonitis persuaded Shearer that a trip to Vail was in order.
The Newcastle United Football Club decided to immediately fly Shearer to Colorado to see Dr. Steadman. The news that he was going
to need surgery and a minimum of three to four months on the sideline quickly traveled back to Europe, baffling many FA Premiere
soccer fans, who assumed that Shearer's career was over and all that remained was the retirement announcement. Although there was
much speculation about Shearer's prospects, both he and Steadman remained firm that he would play again.
"I know that a few doom-mongers have been trying to suggest that this is the end of Alan Shearer's career" said Shearer. "Well, they're wrong, very wrong. The top specialist in the world (Dr. Steadman) says there are no complications, and when I come back - not if - there won't be any problem. Anyone who says otherwise is believing neither Dr Steadman nor me." (1)
After his recovery, Shearer continued playing for Newcastle United well into the 2006 season. He remained one of the most feared strikers
in English Premiership football and even banged home a career high of five goals in a 2006 match against Sheffield Wednesday*. Late in 2006,
Shearer scored his 201st goal for Newcastle, making him the top scorer in the club's history. * this occurred in 1999!!!
Dr. Steadman successfully repaired Shearer's knee and Europe took notice. The unexpected return of Shearer to European premiership
glory proved to professional soccer players that one knee injury did not necessarily mean the end of a career. Shortly after
operating on Shearer, Dr. Steadman was asked to evaluate a similar knee injury to Liverpool's Craig Bellamy, another European
superstar. "All I want to do is to get back home and start my rehabilitation, and when I do get to return I will be stronger and
fitter and with two good knees," said Bellamy after his surgery. "Dr Steadman is a fantastic surgeon and, like Alan [Shearer],
I have complete faith in him and I know everything will again be fine (2). Bellamy successfully recovered from his knee injury
and continues to play for Liverpool to this day. He is one of the top strikers in European soccer and shows few signs of
slowing down.
An influx of major European superstars has visited with Dr. Steadman after the successful reconstructive surgery for Shearer and
Bellamy. Steadman has treated famous footballers like the A.C. Milan striker Ronaldo, Allesandro Del Piero of Juventus in Italy,
and Leonardo of the Dutch team Ajax.
Recently, Newcastle United's Michael Owen, one of the world's best footballers, visited The Steadman-Hawkins Clinic in Vail to be
treated by Dr. Steadman. Owen, who was only 26 when he injured his knee in 2006, has had problems very similar to Shearer and
Bellamy. "The doctor (Dr. Richard Steadman) comes with a great reputation. I've seen him a few times already and I know I'm in
safe hands", said Owen. "We had a look at the pros and cons for different surgeons. There are a lot of good ones here in
England, and we weighed up that traveling to America and staying out there and flying back would be worthwhile. Dr. Steadman
has so much experience - Alan Shearer speaks very highly of him. I've spoken to everyone, and we came to the conclusion that
Richard Steadman was the best man for the job." (3) Although there are many knee surgeons in the world, it appears the European
soccer community has come to rely upon Dr. Steadman.
Steadman's reputation among elite athletes is not limited to European footballers. His expertise is in demand for professional
ski racers, golfers, and NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL athletes. In the opinion of Michael Owen, and many others around the world,
Richard Steadman was the best man for the job.
Sources:
(1) BBC Sports online;
May 16, 2001
(2) The U.K. Sun
(3) ESPN.com;
June 30, 2006
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