PART 11

Football injuries are so common, that players may be out for as little as one game, or for an entire season. Alternatively, they may have to eventually retire from the game all together. Many injuries can be sustained, ranging from head to foot.

Groin Injuries

Injuries relating to the groin can keep players out for weeks, if not months. This is a widespread injury, that can result from a lack of stretching prior to the game. A groin pull is an injury which affects the inner thigh muscles. These muscles help pull the legs together, and can also cause problems with the hip joint. A pull relates to the over-stretching of a muscle. If a muscle is pulled, it is abnormally stretched, and gets torn; therefore, it will take time to repair itself.

Hamstring Injuries

These are the most talked about football injury. A hamstring pull or strain once again relates to one or more of

the muscles being torn. A sudden sharp pain at the back of the leg during football is felt, most probably during sprinting or high velocity movements. Muscle strains usually have a 3 grade criteria, with 1 being mild, and 3 being most serious. Hamstring football injuries can keep players out of the game for months.

Treatment for a pulled hamstring must start immediately with RICE Therapy (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate). Use of ice helps to heal football and muscle injuries. Plenty rest and elevation of the feet, if possible, above the heart, will significantly improve the recovery rate of the injury. It is the rush of blood that goes back to the injured muscle after the RICE technique, that helps the healing process.

Broken / Fractured Bones

When a bone breaks, it is called a fracture; the worst nightmare in football injuries for every player and coach. A broken leg for example, will keep you out for at least 9 months.

There are different variations of fractures:

• – ‘Complete’ – is when the bone has broken into two pieces.
• – ‘Greenstick’ – the bone cracks on one side only, not all the way through.
• – ‘Single’ – refers to breaks in one place.
• – ‘Comminute’ – speaks to breaks in more than two pieces or a crush.
• – ‘Bowing’ – happens in kids only; the bone bends but doesn’t break.
• – ‘Open’ – occurs when the bone sticks through the skin.

There’s not too much more that needs to be said about broken bones, except, take the doctor’s or any of your health professionals advice, and don’t rush back.

Knee Injuries

There are loads of different problems players can get with their knees. You may hear the term ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament), which lies deep within the knee joint, with a tear being most common. Turning, twisting and landing awkwardly can cause this. A knee brace can help some people, but otherwise, it’s to the operating room.

Ankle Injuries

These are frustrating, because they are not always the worst of injuries to endure, but if it hurts to kick the ball, or land on your standing foot, then playing is going to be difficult. The ankle is a complex joint that is capable of a wide range of movement. Sprained ankles are very common in sport, and refer to soft tissue damage to the ligaments.

Calf Injuries

Pain that occurs in the calf muscle, on the lower part of the leg, often is the result of a pulled or torn muscle. This is called a calf strain or a pull. It occurs when part of the muscle of the lower leg (gastrocnemius or soleus), is torn away from the Achilles tendon. This injury happens during acceleration or changes in direction. The torn calf muscle may spasm, contracting forcefully; and the toes will point down. Bruises show up in the foot and ankle, due to pooling of blood from internal bleeding. Just like other muscle injuries, a calf injury has three grades of severity.

Achilles Injuries

The Achilles tendon is the large tendon at the back of the ankle. It connects the large calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus), to the heel bone. Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury. Too much too soon is the basic cause of overuse injuries. The only thing you can really do is apply the RICE treatment.

Aches and Strains

These injuries are often less serious, but most players get them after every competitive game. While this condition is not serious, it can be disruptive. As well, the sufferer may have to stop or reduce their activities, which can lead to sadness, depression and anxiety. A number of players feel quite down if they can’t play due to an injury.

Muscle pain is generally classified into two categories. The first is soreness, inflammation and stiffness, which develop due to bad posture, or over exercising. You can develop these symptoms by undertaking a strenuous game. The second is when a muscle suddenly contracts and can’t relax; the result is known as a cramp. Typically, the areas most commonly affected are calf, foot, or thigh. Cramps can develop at any time, even during sleep. They are believed to be caused by a lack of proper stretching and minerals in the diet, along with dehydration.

Cuts and Bruises

Cuts and grazes are very popular. Minor ones may bleed and feel slightly painful, but the affected area will normally scab over and heal quickly. Deeper cuts may damage important structures below the skin, such as nerves, blood vessels, or tendons. Under normal circumstances, bruises will heal naturally in healthy individuals; however, depending on the size of the bruise, this could be between two to four weeks.

 Your feet mirror your general health . . . cherish them!