HEALTHY LIVING
Soccer Injuries: Injury Prevention and Treatment
Injuries to the lower extremities are the most common in soccer. These
injuries may be traumatic, such as a kick to the leg or a twist to the
knee, or result from overuse of a muscle, tendon, or bone. We share
tips with sportsmen in various disciplines to help sportsmen handle
the injury issues with more professionalism. Here are some tips for
soccer players.
COMMON SOCCER INJURIES
Lower Extremity Injuries
Sprains and strains are the most common lower extremity injuries. The
severity of these injuries varies. Cartilage tears and anterior cruciate
ligament (ACL) sprains in the knee are some of the more common injuries that may require surgery. Other injuries include fractures and
contusions from direct blows to the body.
Overuse Lower Extremity Injuries
Shin splints (soreness in the calf), patellar tendinitis (pain in the knee),
and Achilles tendinitis (pain in the back of the ankle) are some of the
more common soccer overuse conditions. Soccer players are also prone
to groin pulls and thigh and calf muscle strains.
Stress fractures occur when the bone becomes weak from overuse. It
is often difficult to distinguish stress fractures from soft tissue injury.
If pain develops in any part of your lower extremity and does not clearly improve after a few days of rest, a physician should be consulted to
determine whether a stress fracture is present.
Upper Extremity Injuries
Injuries to the upper extremities usually occur from falling on an outstretched arm or from player-to-player contact. These conditions include wrist sprains, wrist fractures, and shoulder dislocations.
Head, Neck, and Face Injuries
Injuries to the head, neck, and face include cuts and bruises, fractures,
neck sprains, and concussions. A concussion is any alteration in an
athlete’s mental state due to head trauma and should always be evaluated by a physician. Not all those who experience a concussion lose
consciousness.
HOW ARE SOCCER INJURIES TREATED?
Participation should be stopped immediately until any injury is evaluated and treated properly. Most injuries are minor and can be treated
by a short period of rest, ice, and elevation. If a trained health care
professional such as a sports medicine physician or athletic trainer is
available to evaluate an injury, often a decision can be made to allow
an athlete to continue playing immediately. The athlete should return
to play only when clearance is granted by a health care professional.
Overuse injuries can be treated with a short period of rest, which
means that the athlete can continue to perform or practice some activities with modifications. In many cases, pushing through pain can be
harmful, especially for stress fractures, knee ligament injuries, and any
injury to the head or neck. Contact your doctor for proper diagnosis
and treatment of any injury that does not improve after a few days of
rest.
You should return to play only when clearance is granted by a health care
professional.
HOW CAN SOCCER INJURIES BE PREVENTED?
Have a pre-season physical examination and follow your doctor’s recommendations
Use well-fitting cleats and shin guards — there is some evidence that molded
and multi-studded cleats are safer than screw-in cleats
Be aware of poor field conditions that can increase injury rates
Use properly sized synthetic balls — leather balls that can become waterlogged and heavy are more dangerous, especially when heading
Watch out for mobile goals that can fall on players and request fixed goals
whenever possible
Hydrate adequately — waiting until you are thirsty is often too late to hydrate properly
Pay attention to environmental recommendations, especially in relation to
excessively hot and humid weather, to help avoid heat illness
Maintain proper fitness — injury rates are higher in athletes who have not
adequately prepared physically.
After a period of inactivity, progress gradually back to full-contact soccer
through activities such as aerobic conditioning, strength training, and agility training.
Avoid overuse injuries — more is not always better! Many sports medicine
specialists believe that it is beneficial to take at least one season off each
year. Try to avoid the pressure that is now exerted on many young athletes
to over-train. Listen to your body and decrease training time and intensity
if pain or discomfort develops. This will reduce the risk of injury and help
avoid “burn-out”
Speak with a sports medicine professional or athletic trainer if you have any
concerns about injuries or soccer injury prevention strategies