Injuries in football: types, treatment, prevention, prognosis (injuries of stars). The most serious injuries suffered by players in football

It is the most popular sport all over the world. Millions of people watch it, hundreds and thousands of clubs fight among themselves to win cups, billions of euros circulate in this industry every year. It's safe to say that football brings incredible pleasure to people all over the world. However, it is worth noting that the football players themselves are not always happy that they are taking to the field. Of course, they also enjoy the game, because for them football is life. Moreover, they receive incredibly large amounts of money for their participation in matches and their performance. But it happens that a football player gets injured during a match, due to which he can suffer greatly.

Damage can vary in severity, and a player can miss a week or an entire year. Injuries in football are inevitable; it is extremely rare that an opponent deliberately tries to injure a player. Most often this happens unintentionally, but the results are sometimes terrifying. In this article you will learn about the most serious injuries in the history of football. Here we will describe those injuries that actually looked terrible, and from which the players then recovered for a long time and with difficulty.

Ewald Linen

There are a wide variety of injuries in football, but most often spectators cannot notice what exactly went wrong, because all the actions take place inside the football player’s body. Tendon stretching or damage, even a fracture - all this is invisible from the outside. However, in 1981, football player Ewald Linen, who was then playing for Borussia from Mönchengladbach, received an injury that absolutely everyone noticed. The fact is that the enemy drove into his leg with the spikes of his boot so that an open bleeding wound almost thirty centimeters long was left on his leg. The spectacle was terrifying, but the footballer, not paying attention to this, went straight to the opposing coach to express his dissatisfaction with the fact that he openly instructed his players to play more roughly. As a result, more than twenty stitches were placed on the wound - fortunately, it did not have serious consequences for the player’s health, and the most terrible thing about it was its appearance. However, not all football injuries turn out so well.

Patrick Battiston

For example, some terrible injuries in football can even lead to a coma - this happened at the World Cup in 1982, when Battiston from the French national team went one-on-one with the goalkeeper of the German national team. When Patrick shot at goal, all he could see was that he missed the target - a second later a huge Schumacher crashed into his head. Battiston lost consciousness and fell into a coma. When he woke up some time later, he was diagnosed with jaw problems, as well as the loss of a large number of teeth. Fortunately, Patrick was able to recover in just six months, after which in 1984, together with the French national team, he was able to win the European Championship. As you can see, the worst injuries in football do not always end badly, even if the player ends up in a coma.

Jose Marin

But, unfortunately, there are also cases when such injuries to players end extremely sadly. Football is a rather dangerous sport because injuries occur very often, and there is a great danger that the player will harm himself in such a way that he will regret it for the rest of his life - if he has the opportunity to continue it. Jose Marin, the Malaga goalkeeper, was denied this opportunity. In 1986, he was on goal in a match against Celta Vigo and, as he was coming out, he collided with an opposing striker. He fell and instantly lost consciousness. Marin was immediately taken to the hospital, where he underwent a severe operation, but this did not help - a couple of weeks later Jose died without regaining consciousness. Horrible injuries in football are inevitable, so we can only hope that there will be as few as possible.

Yuri Tishkov

As mentioned above, often the injuries cannot be seen externally, but the most brutal injuries in football are generally more than obvious. For example, in 1993, in the Russian Cup, Dynamo Moscow forward Yuri Tishkov was seriously hit in the legs by a defender who played incredibly rudely. But the situation got out of control because the tackle ended with the young striker in a state of painful shock due to the fact that the shin bone was sticking straight out of his leg. Tishkov was preparing to move to the Italian league, he was one of the most promising strikers in Russia, but this injury completely ruined his career. When he recovered, he could no longer play at the same level. The worst injuries in football are not only horrifying in how they look, but also in the consequences they cause.

David Basst

The case of David Basst was one of the most shocking in the history of English football and turned out to be even worse than the previous case with Tishkov. After all, during a horse fight for the ball from a corner, Basst collided with two enemy defenders at once, as a result of which he received multiple leg fractures. And the terrible thing is that they were open, that is, there was a player lying on the field with several bones sticking out of his leg, and the entire lawn around was covered in blood. As in the case of Tishkov, Basst recovered from the injury, but never reached the previous level.

Luke Nealis

In 2000, 33-year-old Belgian Nilis suffered a very complex knee injury, including a double fracture. The knee is the most dangerous place for an athlete, and such an injury for an already aged player was the real end. He was never able to return to the field, so he was forced to announce his retirement from his professional career, although he was ready to play for quite a long time, as he was in excellent shape.

Sergey Perkhun

Another fatal incident occurred in 2001 with a Ukrainian goalkeeper who collided with a defender and seemed to be able to even continue the game. But he soon lost consciousness, fell into a coma and was no longer able to get out of this state. He died less than a month later.

Djibril Cissé

Cissé was one of the most prominent black players of his time, but even the best of the best are plagued by injuries. In a friendly match against the Chinese national team, the Frenchman was breaking through his flank to attack when something terrible happened - an opposing player unintentionally crashed into Jibril's supporting leg. Just by the way it looked outwardly, one could understand that everything was bad - the leg was bent at an unnatural angle, and the attacker simply could not get up from the lawn. By the way, this injury might not have happened, but not for good reasons at all - the fact is that two years before this incident, Cisse received a terrible injury. He had a broken bone in his leg, which cut off his blood circulation, and Jibril faced amputation. Fortunately, doctors were able to save the football player’s leg, and he will continue his career.

Francesco Totti

The most dedicated player in the history of football is about to turn forty years old - and he still plays for Roma, where he began his professional career at eighteen. But in 2006, his career could have been cut short, as in a match with Empoli he received a terrible injury - the player’s foot bent at an unnatural angle. Only a quick and effective operation helped Totti not only not to end his career, but also to recover quite quickly and go to the 2006 World Cup to help the Italians win it. Ten years have passed since that injury, but Francesco’s injured leg still often reminds him of itself. However, he continues to play for his club and still works football miracles, saving the team from defeat by coming on as a substitute ten minutes before the end of the match.

Eduardo da Silva

Over the past decade, the worst injury to Arsenal player Eduardo da Silva seems to be. He received it in 2008 when the Gunners faced Birmingham. Then Eduardo did not suspect that his opponent would play very rudely and dirtyly against him in a tackle, slamming into his shin with all his might. People with faint hearts should avoid watching this episode because the spectacle was truly horrific. The player's foot dangled completely limply, separately from his leg - many channels broadcasting the match at that time did not replay the episode so as not to injure the viewer. The fouling player was shown a red card, but this did not help Eduardo in any way - he was out for a very long time. He started playing again only a year later, but, as expected immediately, he could not return to the previous level.

As you can see, horrific football injuries happen for several reasons - not only are they visually horrific, but they also have a very serious impact on a footballer's career. On this list, only a few players managed to continue their careers, and almost none were able to play at the same level.

Football has always been closely associated with various sports injuries, which constantly prevent players from achieving high results or simply enjoying their game. Among the huge list of injuries sustained on the playing field, we have identified the six most common injuries that most football players have encountered. So, today we will talk about pain and what injuries occur most often in football players.

Cruciate ligaments

This problem often affects not only football players, but also players of other contact sports. Main symptoms of injury:

• when the injury occurred, there was a characteristic cracking sound in the knee area;
• feeling of instability of the knee joint;
• limited movement of the leg when it is fully extended;
• extensive swelling of the knee;
• sharp pain in the knees;
• hypersensitivity on the medial side of the joint.

Depending on the degree of sprain, the player may need surgical intervention, but in any case, treatment should be carried out by a specialist immediately after receiving the injury. Typically, the treatment process takes approximately 6-9 months, but with a good physiotherapist this process can be sped up.

Ankle joint

When talking about football players’ injuries, it’s hard not to mention a sprained ankle. One of the most vulnerable places of an athlete if the ligaments are not regularly trained. Typically, this injury occurs after twisting or turning the ankle, which can be mild or severe, depending on the force applied to twist the ligament.

Symptoms:

• pain on the outside of the ankle when pressing on the injured area;
• swelling and bruising;
• limited movement;
• sharp pain when moving the leg.

Only an experienced therapist can determine the extent of the sprain, but do not neglect a medical examination when there is only a suspicion of a mild sprain that can be treated at home. As a rule, the combination of such small injuries ultimately leads to serious consequences requiring surgical intervention.

Medial collateral ligament injury

This is the knee again, but only the damage is to the ligaments on the inside. Sharp twisting or a strong blow are the main causes, which can lead to varying degrees of sprain.

Main symptoms:

1. Mild pain, slight instability of the joint and no swelling - first degree.
2. Tangible pain, swelling of the knee, instability of the joint and sharp pain when bending the knee - second degree.
3. Complete rupture of the ligaments, accompanied by severe instability of the joint and very severe pain - third degree.

Regardless of the extent of the injury, it is recommended to consult a specialist for a thorough examination. This problem should be taken seriously, since activities such as running and walking depend on the functioning of this ligament. Damage will cause discomfort when driving on uneven surfaces and under intense loads.

Meniscus injury

Such injuries to football players usually occur when they come into contact with each other on the playing field. As in the cases described above, a rupture can have several degrees of severity and, accordingly, its own list of symptoms for each degree.

Main symptoms:

• inability to bend the knee;
• swelling (may not appear immediately);
• characteristic clicks in the knee joint when bending.

Treatment can be carried out without surgery using a conservative method. The intervention of surgeons is most often necessary in case of severe ruptures, and in most cases the operation performed gives a positive result.

Hamstring

This injury causes a strain in one or more of the hamstring muscles. A very common injury in football, it can be mild and heal with normal rest, or severe, where the muscle is completely torn.

Stretching is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• sudden sharp pain in the back of the leg while straining;
• constant tension on the back of the thigh;
• swelling of varying degrees;
• lameness;
• pain when pressing a muscle;
• sudden attacks of pain.

In this case, it is important to immediately consult a doctor and not delay treatment, as complications may follow that require deeper treatment or surgery.

Groin

An unpleasant tear or rupture of one of the five adductor muscles of the groin turns the player off from work for a long time. It all depends on the severity of the sprain and how many muscles were damaged.

There are three classifications of the severity of this injury:

1. First degree - less than 10% of the fibers are damaged.
2. Second degree – moderate sprain with fiber damage from 10% to 90%.
3. The third degree is a complete rupture of the muscle, although there are cases with incomplete rupture.

Symptoms:

• discomfort in the groin area;
• tight and tense groin muscles;
• sharp pain in the groin area during activity;
• bruises and swelling of varying severity;
• the appearance of bumps at the site of the rupture.

We hope this article was useful to you, and you just came to it to find out, and not to compare your symptoms with those described. One thing is worth remembering: in most cases, football player injuries are best treated after consultation with an experienced specialist if you want to quickly return to the training process. Self-medication can be ineffective and sometimes dangerous. We wish you good health!

Football is the most famous and popular sport, watched by millions of spectators around the world. The game of professionals is exciting and many people play football in their free time, it is their hobby. This sport is useful and fun, but it is also very dangerous.

Both aspiring football players and football stars often face serious injuries that significantly impair the quality of life, and sometimes cause the end of their football career. In this article, we will look at the most common injuries that can be sustained during the game, their treatment and consequences, and also learn about football stars whose careers were derailed after a serious injury.

Football injuries

There are several of the most common injuries when playing football.

Sprain. This injury occurs quite often in the ankle joint, and usually does not provoke serious complications. With this pathology, pain and swelling occurs in the ankle area, the athlete limps, and the joint becomes unstable.

A leg fracture is a serious injury that requires long-term treatment and rehabilitation. In this case, very severe pain occurs, it is impossible to step on the leg, and swelling and hematoma appear at the fracture site.

Injury to the knee and ankle joint. When a joint is bruised, pain, swelling and hematoma appear, and the mobility of the joint may be partially impaired. With dislocations, deformation of the knee or ankle is observed, the pain is more pronounced, and motor activity is completely impaired. Dislocations require immediate contact with a traumatologist, as they must be corrected within the first 24 hours to avoid serious consequences.

Stretched and torn hamstring muscles cause a lot of inconvenience to the athlete. This disease is not life-threatening, but can cause the end of a career, since relapses of the disease often occur during subsequent training. When the popliteus muscle is torn, the back of the thigh hurts, swelling occurs and the patient cannot move normally, much less run or play football.

Damage to the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest, but it is often injured when playing football. A tendon rupture is accompanied by pain, swelling, and the person cannot step on the leg. In most cases, this pathology is treated conservatively and within a month the football player returns to normal life. But in severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the damaged tendon.

Quadriceps femoris rupture. Such an injury occurs as a result of a strong blow to the muscle, as a result it is literally pressed inward and ruptures. Such an injury causes severe pain, thus disrupting the player’s motor activity.

In addition, hand injuries, various fractures, and wrist dislocations often occur, usually due to an unsuccessful fall. It is possible to prevent injury if you follow safety precautions and prepare properly for the game, as well as train to the best of your ability.

Star injuries

It is professionals who are most susceptible to football injuries, since they train a lot and play against strong opponents. We have selected the top most terrible injuries on the football field, which caused the athletes to be absent for a long time:

In 1996, David Bast, a Caventry City player, suffered a severe compound fracture in an unfortunate collision with a Red Devils player. This injury caused the end of the football player’s career, and even the 25 operations he underwent could not return David to his previous condition.

Martin Palermo, a Villarreal player, suffered a broken leg in two places under rather strange circumstances. Palermo was so happy about the goal he scored that he emotionally jumped onto the fence that protected the field from fans and fell to the ground with him, receiving a serious injury.

Francesco Totti, a Roma player in 2006, suffered a fracture of the fibula and torn ligaments in the ankle area. The injury was so severe that doctors recommended that the football player not take the field for 12 months. But Francesco quickly recovered, and already 5 months after the injury he was able to return to what he loved and continue his career.

Edgar Andrade, a player of the Cruz Azul team, received a severe leg fracture with a 180-degree displacement of the ankle. Within 3 months after the injury, the athlete will be able to return to training and continue to play.

Eduardo da Silva, a player of the Arsenal team, received a severe open fracture of the tibia with displacement, thanks to the rough play of an opponent, who made a strong blow to the footballer’s leg. The injured athlete was able to return to the football field only 12 months after the injury.

Treatment

In most cases, the outcome of the injury depends on the treatment; the earlier it is started, the greater the likelihood of a positive prognosis. Nowadays, most injuries are cured without consequences, thanks to modern medical technology, the experience of doctors and new drugs.

It is very important for any type of injury to immediately consult a doctor for treatment, even for minor bruises and sprains, if, of course, the football player wants to continue playing without health consequences.

Depending on the severity of the injury, conservative and surgical treatment is prescribed; patients are also referred to physiotherapy, massage, and a mandatory rehabilitation course to develop the limb. All procedures and prescriptions must be carried out under the supervision of an experienced traumatologist or surgeon.

Conservative

Conservative treatment is used for sprains, bruises, muscle injuries, non-displaced fractures, and dislocations without complications. In the latter case, the doctor performs closed reduction of the joint.

In all cases, the treatment is approximately identical; the doctor performs therapeutic immobilization in order to remove the load from the leg or completely immobilize it during recovery. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, and, if necessary, antibiotics and blood thinners. For bruises and dislocations, doctors recommend anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointments that will speed up the healing of the injury.

After the affected tissues have grown together, the fixing bandage is removed, and the patient is prescribed to develop the leg. To do this, they carry out a course of physical procedures, for example, magnetotherapy, laser, electrophoresis, etc. They also recommend exercises to strengthen muscles and refer them for massage to improve blood circulation in the tissues.

The duration of recovery can range from 2 weeks to 6 months, depending on the severity of the injury, the method of treatment and the efforts of the patient.

Surgical

The operation is indicated for severe open fractures with displacement, chronic dislocations, severe ruptures of ligaments and tendons, and intra-articular fractures. Doctors restore the affected tissues, after which they prescribe conservative treatment.

Folk

Injuries in football can also be treated with traditional methods, but only in combination; you should not self-medicate. Immediately after the injury, the victim must be taken to the hospital, undergo an examination there, and traditional medicine recipes can be used as a supplement to relieve symptoms.

To restore bones, a remedy made from eggshells and lemon juice, which should be consumed internally, helps well. Also, for fractures and joint injuries, it is recommended to use products with gelatin, they promote the restoration of bone and cartilage tissue.

Lotions with herbal decoctions will help relieve inflammation and pain, but they can only be done if the integrity of the skin is not compromised. To do this, brew the herb, soak a clean cloth with the decoction and apply it to the sore spot several times a day.

Prevention

Injuries in football can be prevented if injury prevention is carried out correctly, for this you need to follow the following recommendations:

• Avoid overloading the athlete; you need to train to the best of your ability, gradually increasing the load;
• Behave respectfully towards each other, do not allow rudeness on the field;
• Regularly undergo examination by a doctor, do not train if there are contraindications;
• Fix joints using elastic bandages;
• Before and after the game, warm up well and do stretching exercises;
• You need to train in the right equipment, comfortable and safe; studded football boots are a must here.

Forecast

A football injury can seriously derail a professional athlete's career and put him out of action for a whole year or for life. And an ordinary person will suffer greatly from an unsuccessful game, and in severe cases may even remain disabled for life.

Only the attending physician can provide an accurate prognosis, since everything depends on the type of injury and its severity. In case of bruises, a football player can return to the field within a few days, but in case of sprains and ruptures of ligaments, it will take from 2 weeks to a month.

Dislocations and fractures require a longer recovery from a month to three, and severe open fractures with displacement can sometimes take up to a year to be treated. In especially severe cases, the football player is not recommended to return to the field due to the risk of recurrence of the injury, or if the motor activity of the limb is impaired.

In order for the prognosis to be as favorable as possible, it is necessary to begin treatment as soon as possible. Therefore, immediately after an injury, a football player should not move; he needs to call a doctor and send him to a clinic for further examination and treatment. Any delay in this case may cause complications.

Video: WORST INJURIES IN SOCCER

Petr Cech's injury in the match against Reading. / Photo: Getty Images

The merciless slaughter of French and Ukrainian football players on the muddy turf of the Stade de France in the play-off match of the 2014 World Cup showed that football remains one of the most dangerous sports. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries. Nevertheless, Sportbox.ru remembered the most terrible damage in the history of football.

Ewald LINEN (Borussia M)

Diagnosis: deep thigh wound

Date of: August 1981

Werder Bremen player Norbert Siegmann committed a foul against Linen, which to this day is considered the dirtiest and harshest in the history of the Bundesliga. With the spikes of his boot, Sigman literally ripped open his opponent's thigh, inflicting a deep wound several tens of centimeters long. Despite the painful shock, Linen ran up to the Werder bench and almost attacked the team coach Otto Rehhagel, who allegedly demanded extremely rough play from his players. 23 stitches were placed on the victim’s thigh, and after two and a half weeks the courageous midfielder returned to the field.

David BASST (Coventry)

Diagnosis: fracture of the tibia and fibula

Date of: April 1996

Visually, Basst's injury turned out to be perhaps the most shocking in the history of football. Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who saw the consequences of the Coventry defender's tough contact with Denis Irwin and Brian McClair, vomited right on the field. The sight of the bone sticking out haunted the Danish goalkeeper for a long time, so Schmeichel was even forced to turn to psychologists. The match was interrupted for a quarter of an hour - during this time the stadium workers tried to throw sand at the pool of blood left by Basst. It took 26 operations for the player to just start walking again. It’s clear that the 29-year-old defender had to forget about football.

Yaroslav KHARITONSKY (“Shinnik”)

Diagnosis: closed fracture of the fibula, fracture of the inner malleolus, rupture of the syndesmosis, dislocation of the foot

Date of: June 2005

One of the worst injuries in the history of the Russian championships marred the match between Spartak and Shinnik. For the red-and-white defender Emmanuel Pogatec, the game was the last before leaving for the English Middlesbrough. The Austrian left not the best memory of himself: in one of the episodes he mercilessly treated the guest player Kharitonsky, breaking not only his leg, but ultimately his career. The defender tried to return to his previous level, but four years after the ill-fated meeting with Pogatec, at the age of 24, he quit football.

Francesco TOTTI (Roma)

Diagnosis: fibula fracture, ankle sprain

Date of: February 2006

In the next match of the Italian championship with Empoli, the long-time leader of the Romans, after a foul from Ricardo Vanilla, landed unsuccessfully on the lawn, so much so that Totti’s foot bent almost in the opposite direction. For some time, the midfielder had to live with a metal plate in his leg. However, Francesco managed to heal such a serious injury in just a few months, and already in early July he raised the cup over his head for winning the World Championship.

Djibril SISSE (French team)

Diagnosis: open fracture of the tibia

Date of: June 2006

In a friendly match between France and China on the eve of the 2006 World Cup, the leg of the Tricolor striker Cissé literally folded in half. Chinese captain Zhi drove into his opponent at full speed, depriving him of the opportunity to take part in the main tournament of the four-year anniversary. This is not the first time that unfortunate Cisse has broken his leg. Two years earlier, in an English championship game, the forward's lower leg was broken, and only thanks to the experience and skill of Liverpool doctors, he was able to continue his career and avoid amputation.

Petr Cech (Chelsea)

Diagnosis: depressed skull fracture

Date of: October 2006

The severe head injury of the Chelsea goalkeeper in the match with Reading made me remember the tragic incident in our championship that ended with the death of CSKA goalkeeper Sergei Perkhun in 2001. Fortunately, the London gatekeeper was lucky, although in his case it was possible to lose his life. After a collision with Stephen Hart, Cech recovered ahead of schedule, but since then he has always performed in a special protective helmet.

EDUARDO (Arsenal)

Diagnosis: open ankle fracture

Date of: February 2008

In his first season with the Gunners, the Brazilian Croatian suffered a terrible injury. In the match against Birmingham, after a rough tackle by Martin Taylor, the striker's left leg bent 90 degrees. As Tim Allardyce, a well-known physiotherapist in England, later said, the football player could well have had his foot amputated. Only the prompt and competent actions of the Arsenal doctors saved Eduardo from the most severe consequences. A year later, the forward returned to the field and continues his career to this day.

FILIPE LUIS (Deportivo)

Diagnosis: fibula fracture, ankle dislocation

Date of: January 2010

The current defender of Atlético Madrid and the Brazilian national team could well say goodbye not only to football, but also to his limb. In the match against Athletic, Felipe collided so poorly with the opposing goalkeeper Gorka Iraizos that he broke his tibia. The team doctor in the locker room tried to set the leg, but in doing so he crushed an artery, cutting off the blood supply. The minutes counted, but in the end they managed to take the Brazilian to the hospital and save his leg.

Aaron RAMSEY (Arsenal)

Diagnosis: open leg fracture

Date of: February 2010

The current leader of Arsenal could well have retired just under four years ago. Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross failed to remove his leg from a tight joint, resulting in a serious fracture. Many players present on the field were unable to look at Aaron’s leg, which had taken on the most unnatural position. It took Ramsey more than six months to recover, although immediately after the severe injury, doctors assumed that it would be difficult for the football player not only to play football again, but also to simply walk.

Dejan RADIC (Rostov)

Diagnosis: kidney rupture

Date of: April 2011

The Russian championship match against Terek turned out to be fatal for the Serbian goalkeeper of Rostov, which ultimately became the last in the goalkeeper’s career. As a result of a collision with Grozny striker Zaur Sadaev, Radic suffered a kidney rupture. Immediately from the stadium, Radic was taken to the hospital, where surgeons removed the damaged organ. The 31-year-old goalkeeper tried to return to football, but in the end he was forced to accept the doctors' verdict.

Sergei NARUBIN (Amkar)

Diagnosis: splenic rupture

Date of: May 2011

The spring of 2011 generally turned out to be unlucky for Premier League goalkeepers. A month after the terrible incident with Radic in the Rostov-Amkar match, Perm goalkeeper Narubin received a strong blow to the spleen. As a result, it also had to be removed. Surprisingly, after a collision with Cornel Salata, the goalkeeper managed to play out the half until the end, and was only replaced at the break. The player’s recovery was surprisingly fast; at the end of the summer, Narubin reappeared in the club’s goal.

Injury #1: Anterior cruciate ligament injury (knee sprain)

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury or rupture is one of the most common injuries in football and among athletes, especially in team games with physical contact.

Symptoms of an ACL injury or tear:

• A characteristic pop or crackling sound when an injury occurs in the knee area;
• The appearance of a feeling of instability in the knee joint;
• ACL rupture is extremely painful, particularly immediately after injury;
• Swelling of the knee is usually immediate and widespread, but may be minimal or delayed;
• Limited movement when trying to fully straighten the leg;
• Tenderness on the medial side of the joint, which may indicate cartilage damage.

What is an ACL injury?

This type of injury involves injury or rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL is one of the four main stabilizing ligaments of the knee, the other 3 ligaments being the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The ACL attaches to the articular surface of the tibia. It runs diagonally across the knee joint and runs in the opposite direction of the PCL to form a cruciate shape, hence the name cruciate ligament. The role of the anterior cruciate ligament is to prevent forward movement of the tibia under the femur. The posterior cruciate ligament prevents the lower leg from moving backwards. Together, these two ligaments are vital to knee stability, especially in contact sports and those involving rapid changes of direction, twisting and turning movements. Therefore, injury or rupture of the ACL has serious consequences for the stability and function of the knee joint.

How does an ACL injury or tear occur?

An ACL injury or tear is a relatively common knee injury in football and among athletes. An ACL tear usually occurs through a twisting force applied to the knee while the feet are planted firmly on the ground or during landing. A torn ACL can also occur as a result of a direct blow to the knee, as often occurs in football or rugby. This injury sometimes occurs simultaneously with a medial meniscus tear and ISS injury. ACL injuries occur 3-5 times more often in women than in men, depending on the sport. The reason for this is not yet known, but current research has attributed it to anatomical differences, the effect of estrogen on the ACL, and differences in muscle balance between men and women.

Treatment of ACL rupture

How can an athlete immediately help himself?

• Stop playing or competing immediately.
• Maintain complete rest with the leg extended above body level in the first 24-48 hours after the injury.
• Contact your doctor as soon as possible.

How can a doctor help?

• Assess the knee joint to confirm an ACL injury or tear.
• Diagnose additional injuries to the knee joint using MRI or X-ray.
• If necessary, schedule surgery.
• Prescribe a preoperative rehabilitation program to strengthen the knee joint and reduce swelling in preparation for surgery. This will ensure the best results after surgery.

What is the essence of surgery for a torn ACL?

• The surgery involves either repairing or reconstructing the torn ACL. During restoration, the damaged ligament is stitched if the tear is in the middle. If the ligament has been separated from the bones, it should be reattached.
• Surgical reconstruction of a torn ACL is performed using either extra-articular technology (using structures that lie outside the joint capsule, such as part of the hamstring) or intra-articular technology (using tissues inside the knee, such as parts of the patellar tendon), consisting of anterior cruciate ligament replacement .

When is surgery necessary?

• When an ACL ruptures, surgery is often necessary.
• The decision to undergo surgery is made taking into account a number of factors, such as: the athlete’s age, lifestyle, type of sport, profession, degree of instability of the knee joint and others associated with the injury.
• Older people who are less active and who have torn their ACL in a fall rather than while playing sports are unlikely to undergo surgery.
• People who exercise regularly often have a high likelihood of having surgery.

How soon can the athlete return to action?

This largely depends on your surgeon or physical therapist prescribing the rehabilitation. Some doctors advocate an accelerated rehabilitation program for returning the athlete to full activity within 6 months, others prefer a 9-month rehabilitation period.

Injury #2: Sprained Ankle

An ankle sprain is one of the most common sports injuries in football, often recurring over and over again. In most cases, the ankle turns inward, causing damage to the collateral ligaments, a type of ankle injury known as an inversion foot.
Ankle sprains can be quite a problematic injury and can cause long-term consequences if not treated correctly. Here we'll cover the symptoms of a sprained ankle to help you determine the extent of the injury, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, and how doctors treat this common soccer injury to get athletes back to training as quickly as possible!

Symptoms of a Sprained Ankle

Symptoms of a sprained ankle can range from mild to severe. With minor sprains, the athlete will most likely be able to return to sports as soon as possible. In case of severe dislocations, inpatient treatment in a hospital will be necessary.

Common symptoms of a sprained ankle:

• Typically the injury occurs as a result of sudden twisting and turning of the ankle.
• Pain in the ankle joint.
• Pain, particularly on the outside of the ankle, when pressing on the damaged ligaments.
• Swelling and bruising may be present, but not always.
• An ankle sprain can be graded as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the severity. Below is more information about the symptoms of a sprained ankle and the grades of ankle sprains.
• Only a professional therapist can fully diagnose and assess the extent of your ankle sprain.

What is a sprained ankle?

• The cause of ankle pain is almost always a sprained/sprained or torn ligament.
• An ankle sprain can occur with a fracture, which is quite rare. This occurs when the ankle rotates outward, damaging the ligaments on the inside of the ankle.
• The most common injury for a sprained ankle is an injury to the anterior talofibular ligament. This is the weakest ligament, which starts from the anterior edge of the lateral malleolus and attaches to the talus.
• If the dislocation is severe, there may be damage to the calcaneofibular ligament, which is attached to the anterior edge and apex of the lateral malleolus and to the calcaneus. This ligament is damaged in more severe injuries.

Severe ankle sprain.

In addition to ligament damage, tendons, bones, and other joint tissues can also be damaged, so it is important to get a professional diagnosis for a sprained ankle. If possible, an x-ray should be taken as small cracks or soft tissue avulsions are quite common in football ankle injuries.
Osteochondral injury (cartilage separation at the dome of the talus) is also a common complication of moderate to severe ankle sprains.
A severe ankle dislocation with a complete rupture of the anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular or posterior talofibular ligaments occurs as a result of a dislocation of the ankle joint, which is often accompanied by a fracture.

Classification of the severity of an ankle sprain:

Ankle sprains, like all sprains, are divided into 3 degrees, depending on their severity:

1st degree of dislocation:
· Minor dislocation or tear of the lateral ligaments of the ankle.
· Little or no instability of the joint.
· Mild pain.
· There may be mild swelling around the bone on the outside of the ankle.
· There is some joint stiffness or discomfort when walking or running.

2nd degree of dislocation:
· Moderate rupture of ligament fibers.
· Definite joint instability.
· Moderate to severe pain, difficulty walking.
· Swelling and stiffness of the ankle joint.

3rd degree of dislocation:
· Complete rupture of the ligament.
· Critical instability of the joint.
· The initial sensation of sharp pain disappears.
· Significant swelling.
· Extensive bruising is usually present.

Treatment for a Sprained Ankle

Treatment for a sprained ankle is divided into immediate first aid and long-term rehabilitation and strengthening of the ankle.

Emergency first aid for a sprained ankle:

The first priority for sprains is to reduce swelling as quickly as possible with assistance (rest, ice, compression, elevation).
R (Rest)- Rest. If you receive an injury, it is important to avoid any stress on the damaged area, this will reduce pain and prevent further damage. If necessary, use crutches to speed up rehabilitation.
I (Ice)- Ice or cold therapy. The use of ice in combination with compression relieves pain and reduces swelling, reduces bleeding, and with continued use increases blood flow. Ice or its analogues should be used immediately after injury for 15 minutes every 2 hours. Instead of ice, you can use one designed specifically for providing first aid for injuries in football and other sports.
C (Compession)- Compression. Reduces bleeding and helps reduce swelling. An alternative is or, which effectively supports the joint, thereby helping to reduce swelling.
E (Elevation)- Climb. Gravity helps the athlete reduce bleeding and swelling by allowing fluid to be directed away from the injured area. Therefore, it is necessary, while in a lying or sitting position, to keep your leg above body level.

After the first stage of ankle injury treatment, there are several exercises that will help the athlete get into shape faster. Exercises aimed at stretching the ankle ligaments can help quickly restore mobility to the joint and also reduce swelling. It is important that the leg is raised up when performing the exercise, so it is most convenient to perform the exercise while lying down. In the first stage of the exercises, you should carefully move your foot only up and down so as not to aggravate the injury.
In later stages, the balance board is an important part of rehabilitation for ankle sprains.
For a speedy recovery from ankle injuries, it is recommended to use the following remedies: , kinesio tapes and ankle bandages.

Benefits of professional treatment for soccer ankle injuries:

• A sports doctor can conduct a thorough diagnosis of the injury and identify complications in the early stages.
• Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen) to help manage pain and swelling.
• Reduce swelling by applying or .
• Use ultrasound and laser treatment to reduce pain and inflammation, thereby promoting rapid tissue healing.
• Use massage to speed up the healing process and reduce the formation of scar tissue.
• Prescribe a program of exercises aimed at stretching the ankle for speedy rehabilitation, strengthening the joint and helping to prevent recurrent ankle sprains.

Injury #3: MCL sprain (medial collateral ligament)

A sprain or injury to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) is damage to the ligament on the inside of the knee. This is usually caused by a twist or blow to the outside of the knee. MCL injuries are common in contact sports such as football and rugby, as well as martial arts. They can also occur in everyday life due to falls and twisting of the knee joint. Like all ligament injuries, ISS injury is graded according to severity levels from first to third. 1st degree of damage is minor, 2nd degree is moderate, 3rd is severe. Next, we will talk in more detail about the symptoms for each degree of injury, as well as what treatment program is necessary in each case.

Symptoms of stretching or rupture of the ISS:

Symptoms of stage 1 damage to the ISS

Mild pain may appear in the ligament area on the inside of the knee. There is usually no tumor. If you put a little pressure on the shin when the knee is bent at an angle of 30 degrees, pain is felt, but there is no instability of the joint.

Symptoms of stage 2 damage to the ISS

Significant pain on the inside of the knee in the area of ​​the medial ligament. There is minor swelling. When a force is applied to a bent knee, as described above, pain is felt and mild to moderate instability of the joint is observed.

Symptoms of stage 3 damage to the ISS

This is a complete ligament rupture. The pain may vary and sometimes may not even be as severe as with a grade 2 ISS injury. When a force is applied to a bent knee, there is significant instability of the joint. The athlete may complain of noticeable knee instability.

Diagnosis of medial ligament sprain

Medial ligament sprains are tested using a valgus/varus stress test, which applies pressure to the ligament by applying force to the outside of the knee, stretching the ligament. If pain or instability in the knee joint is obvious, the medial ligament may be damaged. If the injury was recent, apply gentle pressure and do not press too hard. If the injury was received relatively long ago, you can apply more pressure.

What is a medial ligament injury?

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) attaches to the inner surface of the tibia (tibia) and the inner surface of the femur (femur). Its function is to counteract the loads applied to the outer side of the knee joint, stabilizing the knee joint on the inner surface.
The medial ligament of the knee consists of two parts - an internal section, which is attached to the meniscal cartilage and the tops of the joint, and an external section, which is attached to the thigh above and below - on the inner surface of the tibia.
MCL injuries often occur after a blow to the inside of the knee causes the knee to bend slightly. The ISS on the inside of the knee is strained; if this force is great enough, a complete rupture of the ligaments can occur. The inner section of the ligament is damaged first, which can also lead to damage to the medial meniscus.
As mentioned earlier, ISS injuries, like all ligament injuries, are graded as grade 1, 2 or 3, depending on their severity. The first degree of damage involves rupture of the ligament fibers in an amount less than 10%. The third degree is a complete rupture of the ligament, the second, accordingly, varies between these two indicators. This means that the second degree does not have specific unambiguous symptoms, so sometimes a more detailed breakdown of this degree of injury is carried out into subclasses.

Treatment of ISS sprain/rupture.

How can an athlete help himself?

• Apply R.I.C.E. technique (rest, ice, compression, elevation) on the injured knee.
• Stop training temporarily.
• Use to support the joint, especially for grade 2 and 3 injuries.
• Try to periodically stretch your knee a little.
• Seek advice from a specialist.

How can a doctor help?

• Use a support bandage or cast (only for complete ruptures, although this practice is becoming less common).
• Aspiration of the joint (removing fluid with a needle).
• Use sports massage to speed up rehabilitation.
• Use ultrasound and laser treatment.
• Provide referral for MRI and the possibility of surgical reconstruction for severe ligament tears.
• Prescribe a rehabilitation program to maintain leg muscle strength and mobility.

MCL tears should be taken seriously as they affect the balance and stability of the joint. Without the proper functioning of these ligaments, activities such as running on uneven surfaces become much more difficult because... the knee joint becomes unstable. However, with an appropriate rehabilitation program, full recovery can be expected in most cases of ISS rupture.

Injury #4: Medial meniscus tear

A meniscus tear is a tear in the semicircular cushioning tissue in the knee joint. The injury usually occurs as a result of direct impact in contact sports or twisting. Here we look at the symptoms of a torn meniscus, its types and rehabilitation after similar injuries in football.

Symptoms of a medial meniscus tear.

Symptoms of a torn meniscus depend on the cause of the injury or the amount of twisting of the knee. With this injury, pain will be felt on the inside of the knee along the joint. Swelling on the knee may appear within 48 hours of the injury. The inability to fully bend the knee may be due to pain or a clicking sound in the knee.

A positive sign is pain and/or a clicking sound using the McMurray test, which a physician or trainer may use to diagnose a meniscus tear. Pain will also be felt during the Epley test, which involves rotating and pressing the knee while lying down. The athlete may complain of knee locking or instability. If the injury is serious, the athlete is unable to bear weight on the affected side.

What is a medial meniscal tear?

Each knee joint has two crescent-shaped meniscus cartilages. They are located on the medial (inner) and lateral (outer) surface of the tibia (tibia). They are important components of the knee joint, acting as shock absorbers, providing the necessary interaction and weight distribution between the tibia and the femur (femur). A meniscus injury can lead to serious consequences for the knee joint. A meniscus tear on the inside of the knee joint occurs much more often than on the outside, since it connects to the medial collateral ligament and joint capsule, and therefore is the less mobile part of the knee joint. Thus, any force applied to the outside of the knee, such as a collision in rugby, can seriously damage the medial meniscus and lead to a tear. In addition, medial meniscus injuries are also often associated with damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL). Another mechanism of medial meniscus injury is knee torsion or age-related degenerative changes. Any of these circumstances can lead to a medial meniscal tear, which in severe cases may require surgery.

Types of meniscus tears.

Longitudinal tears: These are meniscus tears that occur along the entire length of the meniscus and can vary in length.

Radial breaks: These are tears from the edge of the cartilage inward.

Tears in the shape of a watering can handle: This is an enlarging form of a longitudinal meniscus tear, where part of the meniscus detaches from the shinbone, forming a fragment that looks like a watering can handle.

Degenerative changes: They can cause the edges of the meniscus to become frayed and jagged, increasing the likelihood of a meniscus tear.

Treatment for meniscus tears

Treatment of a medial meniscus tear can be conservative and performed without surgery. If the injury is severe or does not meet the indications for conservative treatment, then surgery for a torn meniscus is necessary and, as a rule, is successful.

How can you help yourself? athlete?

• Apply the R.I.C.E. technique. (rest, ice, compression, elevation) to the injured knee, which will reduce pain and swelling, and speed up the healing process.
• Must be worn. For the first 24-48 hours, when complete rest is recommended, simple elastic knee sleeves will do. Later, when the athlete begins to walk, most physiotherapists recommend or at least protect the knee ligaments and cartilage.
• Try to maintain knee mobility with specific exercises used for meniscal tears. The goal of the exercises is to maintain quadriceps strength. Exercises should be performed carefully, otherwise the symptoms may worsen.
• Glucosamine or special dietary supplements used for such injuries can speed up the healing process of damaged cartilage.
• Consult a sports injury specialist who can recommend a rehabilitation program for meniscal tears.

• Examine the knee to confirm the presence of injury.
• Send you for an MRI.
• Decide whether conservative treatment will be effective or surgery is necessary.

1. Conservative Treatment

May be prescribed for a minor tear or degenerative meniscus, and may include:

• Ice, compression, and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen are also recommended.
• Electrotherapy, i.e. Ultrasound, laser therapy and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation).
• Massage to reduce swelling and relax tense surrounding muscles. For best effect, it is recommended to use.
• Manual therapy.

When the pain subsides, you should begin exercises aimed at restoring range of motion, balance, and maintaining muscle strength. These may include: squats, single leg raises and balance plates. Magnetic therapy is also recommended.

2. Surgical treatment of meniscus tear

For more serious meniscal injuries, such as a watering can handle tear, arthroscopic surgery may be necessary to repair cartilage in the knee. The goal of the surgery is to preserve as much of the cartilage as possible. The procedure itself usually involves stitching together the torn cartilage. The success of the operation depends not only on the severity of the rupture, but also on the age and physical condition of the patient. Young and physically developed patients have a much greater chance of successful surgery.
After the operation, the patient is prescribed a rehabilitation and exercise program that is aimed at restoring mobility, balance, and strengthening the joint. All this together allows you to recover as quickly as possible.

Injury #5: Hamstring strain (hamstring strain)

A hamstring strain is a common injury in football that involves a strain in one or more of the hamstring muscles. The severity of a hamstring strain can range from mild to very severe to a complete tear of the muscle.

Symptoms of a hamstring strain.

One of the most obvious symptoms of a hamstring strain is sudden, sharp pain in the back of the leg during exercise, usually while running or as a result of high-speed movements. Depending on the severity of the athlete's injury, training should usually be stopped immediately; further participation in sporting activities will be difficult or simply impossible. Often athletes try to continue playing with such an injury, but this is one of those injuries that does not allow them to continue full-fledged sports without the necessary treatment.
A hamstring strain is graded as a grade 1, 2, or 3, depending on its severity. The first degree involves a slight stretch in the muscles. The second degree is a partial tear in the muscle, the third degree is a severe or complete tear of the muscle.

First degree hamstring strain

In a grade 1 hamstring strain, the athlete may experience tension in the hamstrings but may be able to walk normally. He will be aware of some discomfort and will not be able to work at full speed. There may be some swelling, and trying to bend the knee against resistance is unlikely to cause much pain.

Second degree hamstring strain

In a second-grade hamstring strain, the athlete's gait changes and they are more likely to limp. There will be sudden attacks of pain during physical activity. Swelling may occur, pain may occur when pressing on the hamstring muscle, or pain may occur when trying to bend the knee against resistance.

Third degree hamstring strain

A grade three hamstring strain is a severe injury in which half or all of the muscle is torn. The athlete may need to use crutches and will experience severe muscle pain and weakness. Swelling will be immediately noticeable, and bruising usually appears within 24 hours.

Causes of Hamstring Strain

The hamstring muscle group consists of three separate muscles: the semitendinosus, semimembranes, and biceps femoris. During running, the hamstring muscles work to the limit to stop the tibia (shin bone) as it has a large range of motion. Before the foot hits the ground, there is the greatest chance of a hamstring injury because... the muscles are under maximum tension and strive to stretch to their full maximum length. Problems in the lower back and pelvis can increase the likelihood of a hamstring strain and should always be taken into account if the injury recurs.

Treatment for a Hamstring Strain

A very important factor is the timing of treatment for a hamstring strain after injury.

How can you help yourself? athlete?

The first 48 hours after injury are the most important for treatment. During this period, the athlete can take the following measures:

• Apply as quickly as possible (10-15 minutes every hour during the first day, on the second - every 2-3 hours).
• Use a compression bandage to minimize intramuscular bleeding and swelling.
• Rest as much as possible with your leg fixed in an elevated position.
• Perform stretching exercises, but only after the pain disappears. In most cases, strengthening exercises can be started before the leg is ready for stretching exercises.
• Mobility exercises can help reduce swelling in the injured area.

What can a sports injury specialist do?

• Prescribe a hamstring rehabilitation program.
• Apply sports massage to the hamstring to speed up recovery. Sports massage is an effective method of treating and rehabilitating the hamstring muscles. Massage promotes proper reconstruction of new muscle fibers and minimizes tissue scarring. In addition, massage increases blood flow to the injured area.
• Apply ultrasound and other types of electrotherapy, often used in the treatment of the hamstring, because they all promote the healing process and reduce swelling.
• Prescribe the use of crutches, especially if the hamstring injury is severe.
• Use MRI to determine the extent of the damage.
• For severe ruptures, prescribe surgery to reconstruct the damaged muscles.

Injury #6: Groin strain

A groin strain is a tear or complete tear in any of the five adductor muscles. Later in this article we will talk about the symptoms, methods of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of this injury, including sports massage and exercises.

Symptoms of this common football injury include sudden, sharp pain. Depending on the severity, swelling and bruising may occur.

Causes of groin muscle strain

There are five adductor muscles: the pectineus, adductor brevis and adductor longus (the so-called short adductor muscles that run from the pelvis to the femur), the gracilis muscle and the adductor magnus (the long adductor muscles that run from the pelvis to the knee).
The primary function of the adductors is to bring the legs back toward the midline to maintain balance. This is especially importantin games such as football, basketball, rugby, etc.when it is necessary to quickly change direction or use leg movements to act against resistance. This is usually the cause of a tear or complete rupture of the groin muscles, especially if a thorough warm-up has not been carried out. Regularly ignoring pain in the groin muscles can lead to tendinopathy (a degenerative-inflammatory disease of the tendons) of the adductor muscles.

Classification of groin muscle strains

Groin strains, like all other injuries in football, are classified as grade 1, 2 or 3.

First degree of stretching

Minor stretch in which less than 10% of the fibers are damaged.

Second degree stretch

Moderate sprain, in which the degree of damage to the fibers ranges from 10 to 90%, therefore, grade 2 is often divided into 2 or 2.5

Third degree stretch

The most severe, implies partial or complete rupture of the fibers.

Symptoms groin muscle strain

First degree of stretching

• Discomfort in the groin area or inner thigh. This may not be noticed until after the workout.
• The groin muscles usually feel tight and tense.
• There may be areas that are painful to the touch in the groin area.
• The gait remains normal; discomfort may only appear when running or even simply when changing the direction of movement.

Second degree stretch

• Sudden sharp pain in the groin or adductor muscles during exercise.
• Tension in the groin muscles that appears the next day.
• Minor bruising and swelling may occur (after 2 days).
• Weakness and possibly pain when contracting the adductor muscles (for example, if you try to bring your legs together).
• Discomfort or pain when stretching muscles.
• You may feel discomfort when walking.
• Painful sensations when running.

Third degree stretch

• Severe pain during training, usually when changing direction of movement.
• Inability to contract the groin muscles (for example, bringing your legs together).
• Significant swelling and bruising appears on the inner thigh within 24 hours.
• Pain when trying to stretch the groin muscles.
• You may feel a lump in the groin area or a tear in the muscle.

Treatment of groin muscle strain

How can you help yourself? athlete?

• Immediately apply R.I.C.E. technique (rest, ice, compression, elevation).
• Use crutches to move around if necessary.
• Gently stretch the groin muscles, provided that this is possible. It is advisable to wear.
• Visiting a professional sports doctor who can advise on rehabilitation after an injury.
• If you suspect a grade 3 sprain, seek professional help immediately.

What can a sports injury specialist do?

• Apply ultrasound or laser treatment.
• Apply technique kinesio taping to relieve pressure from the damaged area.
• After the acute phase, use sports massage. This is extremely important.
• If the muscle is completely torn, surgery is recommended.
• Advise on a rehabilitation program that includes stretching and muscle strengthening exercises.

Injuries in football: video

And finally, we have prepared for you a video with the most terrible injuries that happened in football. It's best not to watch for the faint of heart!

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