On 30/6, Manchester United legends faced the Vietnamese All-Stars at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi. Fans were impressed not only by the skillful plays reminiscent of their Premier League prime, but also by the speed and endurance of players like 54-year-old Dwight Yorke, 59-year-old Teddy Sheringham, Michael Owen, 46-year-old Wes Brown, and 56-year-old Dion Dublin, despite having retired years ago.

On football forums, fans noted that despite the slippery field and heavy rain, the legends moved nimbly, competed fiercely, sprinted, and executed impressive shots with no signs of fatigue. Despite losing 2-3 to the Vietnamese All-Stars, the English legends emerged without injuries or exhaustion.

Michael Owen (left) tests the Compass 600 muscle strength and training equipment. Teddy Sheringham (right) experiences the AI-powered Somatom Force VB30 CT scan to detect potential injuries. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Before the match, the English stars visited Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi for health checks and injury screenings. After discussions, Dr. Nguyen Quang Ton Quyen, Deputy Head of the Department of Orthopedic Trauma and Sports Medicine, observed that they had received excellent care from sports medicine systems at their clubs and major centers in England.

Tam Anh General Hospital applies rigorous health check standards similar to the Premier League. These include comprehensive assessments of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, coordination and reflexes, and performance indicators. Advanced technology ensures fast, accurate, and personalized results. Based on this data, doctors develop recovery plans, address movement issues, prevent future injuries, and optimize players' physical condition.

Michael Owen experienced the Compass 600, a system for testing and training muscle strength, and measuring neuromuscular reflexes to improve movement control and limb coordination. The 2001 Ballon d'Or winner commented that if these technologies had been available earlier, many players could have extended their peak performance. In 1999, he suffered a serious hamstring injury that nearly ended his career in his twenties.

The stars also experienced the Tecar Winback Back 4 multi-frequency therapy machine for acute injuries, chronic pain, and post-surgical rehabilitation; the Artromot K1 for passive knee flexion and extension; an automated cycling robot; the Sonopuls ultrasound therapy machine; and the latest generation of shockwave, electrical pulse, and laser devices.

After experiencing the R-force anti-gravity rehabilitation system, former striker Sheringham remarked, "I'm impressed that a hospital in Vietnam has invested in such modern equipment, helping professional athletes return to competition quickly and safely after injuries."

Dr. Ton Quyen highlighted that while athletes previously peaked around 30, advancements in sports medicine now allow many to maintain their form into their 40s and even 50s.

"The care and recovery sessions at Tam Anh General Hospital helped the Manchester United legends optimize their physical condition and extend their performance in demanding conditions. On 30/6, they played enthusiastically, showcasing complex techniques while remaining safe and avoiding potential injuries. This demonstrates the role of modern sports medicine in supporting and protecting athletes' health," he explained.

According to Dr. Ton Quyen, sports medicine focuses on preventing, diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating injuries, optimizing movement ability for both professional and amateur athletes, those involved in recreational exercise, and those needing post-orthopedic surgery recovery or improved fitness after injury.

Two key goals of sports medicine are:

Improving fitness and preventing injuries: This field enables early detection of potential injury risks such as movement axis deviations, muscle imbalances, and incorrect techniques. Experts then develop personalized recovery plans for athletes after each match and on a regular basis to enhance performance and prevent injuries, which can occur during training or competition.

Providing timely emergency care and injury treatment: In high-speed, contact sports like football, basketball, and track and field, injuries are difficult to avoid. Having sports medicine specialists on-site ensures not only rapid emergency care but also correct initial intervention procedures, preventing further complications.

Tam Anh General Hospital's Center for Orthopedic Trauma and Sports Medicine uses a personalized, multi-modal approach. Patients receive both medical and surgical treatment, rest, and comprehensive care with the latest technologies and techniques. Doctors conduct in-depth injury assessments and detect potential risks using 3.0 Tesla MRI or the AI-powered Somatom Force VB30 CT scanner.

The Hybrid operating room integrates the Artis Pheno Robotic arm to assist surgeons in complex trauma surgeries. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

For surgical cases, Tam Anh's Hybrid operating room integrates a comprehensive range of medical equipment, notably the Artis Pheno robot. This robot provides high-resolution 3D images comparable to CT scans, enabling surgeons to clearly visualize anatomical structures, especially blood vessels, aiding in precise planning and execution.

Patients also have access to the latest diagnostic and treatment equipment, such as the Dyneelax ligament assessment robot used by Juventus, Barcelona, and Monaco. For rehabilitation, the hospital utilizes Shockwave therapy for tendonitis, soft tissue fibrosis, and pain relief; RF high-frequency wave machines to improve circulation and range of motion; and the R-force anti-gravity rehabilitation system, allowing patients to begin training early while controlling the impact on muscles, bones, and joints, shortening recovery time.

The hospital also has the BTL spinal decompression machine for treating back pain and herniated discs without surgery, and the CPET cardiopulmonary exercise testing system for comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal function.

Each year, Tam Anh General Hospital performs over 1,000 ligament reconstructions using autologous or artificial tendons, and around 1,500 hip and knee replacements using ABMS and SuperPATH techniques (Optimys hip, COC ceramic, Oxinium, Medial Pivot knee, UC, PS, CR) to restore natural anatomy, increase range of motion, and extend joint lifespan.

Thien Ha