In case you missed it, the World Cup is upon us! As one of the most common sports in the UK, it’s also responsible for a significant number of the sports injuries we see in clinic.
Knee Injuries
Due to the twisting forces that football puts through the knee, it’s a commonly injured area among professional and Sunday league footballers alike.
Meniscus Tears
The menisci are two C-shaped pieces of cartilage within the knee. They help to keep the joint stable and to shock absorb. The force that can tear them is a twist through the knee, especially while weight-bearing. You can read more about Meniscus Injuries here.
Muscular Injuries
Explosive forces, as when kicking hard, can injure the involved muscles. Although full blown muscle ruptures are less likely than in sports like squash, strains are common. The hamstrings, calf, and quads are more commonly affected, but injuries are not always limited to the leg. The glutes, and the deep piriformis muscle sometimes respond to a sudden high demand by protecting themselves, although this might cause more problems than it solves. Piriformis Syndrome is a form of sciatica caused by deep glute muscle tension.
Fortunately, these soft tissue injuries are typically easier to manage and quicker to heal than those involving cartilage or ligaments.
Ankle Sprains
Although not totally eliminated by astroturf, running and kicking on undulating ground can place the forces through the ankle that can sprain a ligament. Even just an awkward landing can be enough to tear one of the ankle ligaments, even just slightly, causing pain and instability. Swelling is another common symptom, although its presence is not inherently bad. Rehabilitating a sprain is important for minimising the chance of recurrence, but if you have an old sprain, it’s never too late to start. The most impactful changes happen in the first 6 weeks post injury, but the body will still accept improvement even years later.
Lower Back Pain
Risk may be higher among “weekend warriors” who have little opportunity for physical movement during the week, then play hard on the pitch at the weekend. The sudden increased demand in potentially weaker tissues can set off twinges that cause localised or more widespread issues.
Disc Injuries
Often, a patient’s first concern is whether or not they’ve “slipped” a disc. Discs are much more resilient than we give them credit for, and they don’t actually slip. But they can bulge or herniate, and they can be very painful. They may or may not come with sciatica, and the presence or lack of does not necessarily indicate the diagnosis.
Irritated Joints
Joints can also twinge in response to exercises like football. The pain can mimic other back issues, like disc pain, but between your case history and examination, your osteopath can differentiate between the two and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Your osteopath is qualified to diagnose and treat your minor sports injuries. We can also advise changes to make to your sport, such as technique tweaks, stretches before and after, or sometimes a recommended strap or support.
Click here to make an appointment for your football injuries in Pewsey or Devizes
