Kristin Thorleifsdóttir undergoes knee surgery after years of pain

Swedish national handball player Kristin Thorleifsdóttir has undergone surgery on her left knee to address chronic pain caused by patellar tendinopathy, also known as jumper's knee. The 28-year-old left back revealed that she has struggled with intense pain for the past two years, noting that she could rarely warm up for training or matches without significant discomfort.

Thorleifsdóttir, who has earned 96 caps for the Swedish national team and plays club handball in Debrecen, Hungary, described the experience as a constant struggle, mentioning that she relied on painkillers daily during certain periods. The surgery, performed in Malmö, addressed a bone spur under the kneecap that had been damaging the tendon.

Following the procedure, the athlete expressed regret for not listening to her body's signals sooner but remains hopeful about her recovery. She is currently focused on rehabilitation with the goal of making a competitive comeback around the turn of the year, specifically in January or February.