When the United States hosted the World Cup in 1994, it was the first real indication that Americans were ready to embrace soccer. Flash-forward more than 20 years, and soccer is no longer a foreign sport; it is the fastest-growing team sport in the US. Bay Area high school leagues and indoor league seasons are just getting underway now. Although soccer is a great form of exercise that promotes body coordination and balance, it takes a toll on the body, and just like any other physically demanding sport, can result in injuries especially when played consistently. The good news is that a significant number of soccer-related injuries are preventable if appropriate safety measures are implemented.
The most common injuries affect the lower extremities from overtaxing of leg muscles, bones, and ligaments and from collisions. Such injuries can be traumatic and in the worst cases may require surgery. These include contusions, fractures, pulled muscles, strains, and ligament tears.
One of the most common and significant sports injuries suffered by soccer players is to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). ACL injuries are tears in knee ligaments that join the lower leg to the upper leg. The ACL helps to keep the knee stable, which is necessary for a soccer player. When ACL injuries occur, a soccer player feels pain and instability at the knee instantly. Some even hear an audible pop when the ACL ruptures.
Soccer also causes injuries to the upper extremities, mostly resulting from player-on-player contact and falls. Such injuries include shoulder dislocations, wrist sprains and wrist fractures. Additionally, neck, face and head injuries are also commonplace in soccer. They include fractures, bruises, cuts, neck sprains and concussions.
Effective techniques to prevent soccer injuries
To ensure longevity of soccer careers and to protect players from long-term health issues resulting from repeated injuries, prevention is far better than waiting to treat soccer-related injuries. Here are some effective prevention methods.
Soccer injuries are minimized when players and team officials take responsibility to implement preventive safety measures.
Dr. Jeffrey Halbrecht, M.D. is a renowned orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. He and his knowledgeable and experienced staff will help keep your players in excellent physical condition to ensure they perform optimally and play for a longer time.
