The Most Common Injuries Among Soccer Players
Below is a list of what are probably the most common type injuries to soccer players. You can click on any of the links below to find out more about the listed injury types.
|
Abrasions |
 |
Ankle Sprains
Description: The most common of all ankle injuries, an ankle sprain occurs
when the ankle is flexed beyond it's normal limits of travel and there is a stretching and tearing of
ligaments surrounding the ankle joint.
Anterior Cruciate
Ligament(ACL) Injuries
Description: ACL tears or strains can occur when an athlete changes
direction rapidly, twists without moving the feet, slows down abruptly, or misses a landing from a
jump.
Blisters
Description: A fluid-filled sack on the surface of the skin that commonly
occurs on the feet.
Clavicle Fractured (Broken
Shoulder)
Description: A shoulder fracture typically refers to a total or partial
break to either the clavicle (collar bone) or the neck of the humerus (arm bone). It generally is from
an impact injury, such as a fall or collision with another player.
Concussion
Description: A concussion is typically caused by a severe head trauma where
the brain moves violently within the skull so that brain cells all fire at once, much like a seizure.
In soccer, players often "head" the ball. It is generally not the ball that causes a
concussion. When two players go for a "header" and their heads collide, that's the injury causing
blow.
Hamstring Pull, Tear, or
Strain
Description: Hamstring injuries (the muscle along the back of the thigh)
are common among runners. An injury can range from minor strains to total rupture of the muscle. This
particular injury can take a long time to heal.
Knee Pain
Description: Knee pain is extremely common in athletes. In order to treat
the cause of the pain, it is important to have an evaluation and proper diagnosis by a
physician.
Muscle
Cramps
Description: A cramp is a sudden, tight and intense pain caused by a muscle
locked in spasm. You can also recognize a muscle cramp as an involuntary and forcibly contracted muscle
that does not relax.
Shin Splints
Description: Shin Splints are a generalized pain that occurs in the front
of the lower leg along the tibia (shin bone). Shin Splints are considered an accumulative stress
injury.
Stress Fracture
Description: Stress fractures in the leg or foot are often the result
of overuse or repeated impacts on a hard surface. It is also not uncommon for soccer players to
break bones in their toes.
Tendonitis
Description: Tendonitis is a common sports injury that often occurs from
overuse. Tendonitis can cause deep, nagging pain that is caused by inflammation of tendons. Treating
tendonitis consists of rest, medication, physical therapy or changes to equipment or
technique.