As a nation, no doubt we love our football! As football continues to grow in popularity so does the risk of injury. Football’s rough nature can lead to innumerable injuries and conditions. As Podiatrists, the most common injuries we see in footballers are to the ankle and foot. It’s important to be aware of some of these conditions and know when to seek professional help.
Some of these conditions include:
- Fractures:
A fracture is a break in the bone. It can be a thin hair line fracture or complete break of the bone. A fracture is normally derived from stress to the bone, repetitive movement or overuse. The best line of treatment normally involves offloading the affected side in a moon boot for 6-8 weeks. It’s important to see your Podiatrist to be fitted properly and to be assigned a personalized rehab program.
- Ankle sprains:
Football’s strenuous and fast-paced nature makes ankle sprains one of the most common injuries we see as Podiatrists! An ankle sprain may be a result of a tackle, running jumping or falling. To avoid long term damage to tendons and ligaments, it is crucial to receive treatment as early as possible! The longer you put off treatment, the worse the condition may progress. If ankles are untreated and not rehabbed correctly, it may lead to permanent damage to your ankles!
- Plantar fasciitis:
As a footballer, you place a lot of pressure through your feet when running, particularly your plantar fascial band on the bottom of your foot. If you’re experiencing heel pain, this condition may be the cause! Inadequate footy boots, high arched feet or flat feet may be contributing factors to this condition.
- Achilles tendonitis:
The Achilles tendon is a strong band that runs down from the calves and connects to the heel. Due to the intensity and frequency of the workout, it can sometimes become inflamed and too painful to resume any activities. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis, it is important that you seek a Podiatrist for appropriate treatment and a personalized rehab program.
If any of these conditions resonate with you, it’s important to seek medical treatment. What’s worse than a sports injury, is one left untreated! People tend to think a problem will go away, however not seeking proper treatment after injuring yourself could lead to further complications. If you or a teammate is suffering from pain, be a good sport and see your local Podiatrist!
For information regarding football boots and there fit, check out our post A Podiatrists Take On Football Boots.