10 Common Soccer Injuries
Soccer is a popular sport around the world and is a very common sport amongst youth when just starting out in sports! It’s great to learn coordination, skill, teamwork and many other skills as it is also a physically demanding sport. As the intensity increases, so does risk for injury.
This article covers 10 of the most common injuries of soccer, symptoms you may experience and when it’s best for you to see a doctor.
Most Common Ankle and Foot Soccer Injuries
Lateral Ankle Sprain
What is it:
A lateral ankle sprain, also referred to as an inversion ankle sprain is a stretch or tear of the ligaments on the outer ankle. The ligaments most commonly affected are the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL).
Mechanism of Injury:
This can happen when your foot rolls inward, typically during quick changes of direction, quick footwork with the soccer ball, an awkward jump and landing, or rolling over another players foot.
Symptoms:
Swelling around the ankle, discolouration or bruising, pain, difficulty with movement or weight-bearing.
Treatment:
Besides RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) and acute injury management, treatment includes ankle bracing or taping, and physiotherapy for strengthening and mobility.
When to dee a doctor:
Consider a padded board, a sitting stool, or knee pads when gardening, switch positions frequently from a kneeling position for a sitting position.
Achilles Tendinopathy
What is it:
An overuse injury that can involve inflammation, degeneration or irritation in the Achilles tendon at the back of your ankle.
Mechanism of Injury:
Repetitive stress from running and jumping, repetitive sprinting up and down the pitch, poor footwear, muscle imbalances, tight calf muscles and a lack of ankle mobility.
Symptoms:
Symptoms include pain at the back of the heel, swelling and tightness.
Treatment:
Besides acute injury management, treatment typically includes physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, better footwear, technique changes. Injections are NOT typically done for this injury.
When to see a doctor:
You suspect there may be a tear in you Achilles tendon, you hear a “pop” while playing, you cannot walk without a limp, calf weakness or you are concerned.
Most Common Thigh and Groin Soccer Injuries
Hamstring Strain
What is it:
Overstretching or tearing one or more of the hamstring muscles in the back of your thigh.
Mechanism of Injury:
Inadequate warm-up, poor flexibility, weak gluteal muscles, sprinting, overstretching your leg when kicking the soccer ball.
Symptoms:
Sharp pain in the back of your thigh, swelling, bruising, muscle weakness, some difficulty while walking or running, may feel tender.
Treatment:
Besides RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation and acute injury management for the first 48-72 hours, treatment includes calf sleeves, physiotherapy for strengthening and mobility, and advice about return to playing soccer. Chiropractic and massage therapy can also be beneficial.
When to see a doctor:
Bruising on the back of the thigh has spread, pain is severe or difficulty walking.
Groin Strain (Adductor Strain)
What is it:
A groin strain is when one the inner thigh muscles are overstretched or torn.
Mechanism of Injury:
A forceful kick, quick change of direction, sliding or lunging, as well as an inadequate warmup leading to muscle tightness and fatigue early in the game.
Symptoms:
Sharp or pulling pain on the inner thigh, pain when kicking a soccer ball, potential bruising or swelling, decreased strength and range of motion.
Treatment:
Besides RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, elevation) and acute injury management within the first 48-72 hours, physiotherapy can be great for a return to play routine with strengthening and stretching guidance.
When to see a doctor:
Bruising on the back of the thigh has spread, pain is severe or difficulty walking.
Quadriceps Contusion
What is it:
Also known as a thigh bruise, this is a deep bruise on the muscle that is cased by direct impact with your thigh and most often from contact with another player.
Mechanism of Injury:
Collision with another player and their knee or cleat causing small blood vessels and muscle fibres to crush and create a deep bruise.
Symptoms:
Discolouration, pain and tenderness to the touch, discomfort, muscle tightness, pain when walking or running.
Treatment:
RICE (Rest, Ice, Elevation, Compression), gentle non-painful stretching, avoid heat and massage as this could worsen the injured area by increasing the bleeding. Physiotherapy is a common treatment.
When to see a doctor:
Swelling and bruising has worsened after 2-3 days of treatment, rapidly worsening swelling and pain, pain or numbness farther down in your foot or leg, you are unable to weight bear, pain at rest, or your are concerned.
Most Common Knee Soccer Injuries
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear
What is it:
This is when one of the ligaments in your knee that stabilizes against rotational forward forces, has torn.
Mechanism of Injury:
A collision from behind your knee, pivoting or rotating quickly, a sudden stop, landing awkwardly after heading the ball or saving it from the net.
Symptoms:
Rapid swelling in your knee, difficulty walking or weight bearing, instability or giving way, knee pain and weakness, during the time of injury you may have heard a “pop” sound.
Treatment:
For minor partial tears surgery is not required; treatment includes rest, ice, bracing and physiotherapy for leg strengthening and restoring range of motion. For more severe tears, reconstruction of the ligament is often necessary depending on your sport, followed by a return to sport exercise plan that can last around 9-12 months.
When to see a doctor:
You have suffered a complete ACL tear and require reconstruction.
Meniscus Tear
What is it:
A tear in the medial or lateral cartilage that acts as cushioning in your knee.
Mechanism of Injury:
Sudden stops, pivots, twisting, awkwardly landing on your foot or forceful impacts with the ground, another player of a slide tackle.
Symptoms:
Pain around your knee, swelling, stiffness, clicking sound in your knee, difficulty during full range of motion of your knee.
Treatment:
RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), bracing, physiotherapy to improve quad strength and knee stability.
When to see a doctor:
You feel your knee locking, you believe there is a severe tear, swelling and pain has lasted more than 2-3 days, difficulty weight-bearing.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
What is it:
Pain around or behind the kneecap from irritation of the soft tissue around you knee cap.
Mechanism of Injury:
Muscle weakness in your quads, hips and glutes, poor knee alignment (bowlegs and knock knees), overuse, foot alignment, poorly supportive cleats, tight muscles and tendons.
Symptoms:
Dull, achy pain in the front of your knee, pain can be increased and sharp when bending your knee, or overusing it.
Treatment:
Knee taping or bracing to support the knee, physiotherapy for glute, quad and hip strengthening, orthotics and arch support can be beneficial for helping with knee realignment.
When to see a doctor:
Pain is severe or worsening, you’re experiencing swelling around your knee, you notice deformity in your knees.
Most Common Lower Leg Soccer Injuries
Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)
What is it:
This is an overuse injury along the inner part of your shin. Muscles and tissues around your bone become fatigued causing your shin bon (tibia) to absorb shock.
Mechanism of Injury:
Long periods of time on hard surfaces, overuse, a sudden increase in running, improper footwear, muscle weakness.
Symptoms:
Pain along the front of your shin, may feel achy or like a bruise to the touch, can be uncomfortable to walk or run.
Treatment:
Rest, compression, elevation, orthotics that offer arch support, physiotherapy for muscle strengthening in your leg and around your shin.
When to see a doctor:
You’re experiencing sharp pains in your shin, you believe you have sustained a stress fracture, walking is painful, symptoms have not gone away after treatment for 1 week.
Most Common Head Soccer Injuries
Concussion
What is it:
A brain injury caused by direct contact, twisting motion or rapid deceleration of your head. All concussions must be treated seriously and not dismissed as a minor injury.
Mechanism of Injury:
Heading the ball in soccer is a very common cause of concussions (usually from contact with another player’s head), hitting your head of the ground when sliding, colliding with another athlete on the pitch, getting elbowed or kneed in the head.
Symptoms:
Pressure around your head, headaches, sensitivity to light or noise, altered vision, dizziness, nausea, slower reaction times, foggy or confused feeling, more tired than usual, as well as other concussion symptoms that affect brain function.
Treatment:
Relative rest, no game play until fully cleared by a medical professional. Depending on severity of symptoms, avoid triggers such as bright lights, loud sounds, screens, books, exercise, etc. and allow your brain a chance to rest! Gradual return to play protocol must be followed and medical clearance obtained before returning to full games or contact activity.
When to see a doctor:
You should be assessed by an appropriate medical professional any time you sustain a head injury that causes any symptoms. At the time of injury, you should be assessed in the ER if you lost consciences, you are suffering from seizures, slurred speech, repeated vomiting, worsening headaches, rapidly worsening symptoms, etc. or if you are concerned.
Soccer players are prone to may injuries, however with the right training, many of them can be prevented or managed easily when recovering from an injury. It’s important to recognize the signs of different injuries so help you better approach a treatment plan. Speak to a professional of you are unsure of your injury and want to get back to playing soccer!
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