5 Common Soccer & Football Injuries

September 27, 2023

5 Common Soccer & Football Injuries: How to Avoid Them and What to Do if You Don’t

Football and soccer. Depending on what part of the world you are these two different sports may share the same name. That isn’t all they share. Both sports demand power, speed, and skill from players — not to mention their passionate fans. The similarities don’t stop there. They also have commonalities between their risk and types of injuries.

This article explores some of the most frequent soccer and football injuries along with tips on how to dodge them and stay in the game.

1. Ankle Sprains: Twisted ankles are a major reason many athletes find themselves limping off the field. To outmaneuver this sneaky injury, gear up with top-notch cleats that offer ankle support. Always remember to stretch and strengthen those ankles regularly.
2. ACL Tears: Let’s face it, tearing the ACL is a nightmare for any player. Needing to run, juke, and jump without concern, doesn’t jibe with knee injuries. The secret weapon to protecting knees is targeting them on leg day in the weight room. Strengthening muscles around the knee is the first line of defense against ACL tears.
3. Concussions: There’s been a big focus on head injuries in sports recently and for good reason. Every athlete, especially young athletes, should take extra care in avoiding concussions. Neck strengthening is key. Crush it on the football field with proper tackles and hits. If a hit happens, don’t tough it out. Take a break and get checked out. The same goes for soccer.
4. Hamstring Strains: Nothing slows down an athlete more out of nowhere than a hamstring strain. Keep your game on fire by dedicating stretches and warm-ups to keep hammies loose and limber. While a grade 1 tear takes only a few days to heal, a grade 2 or 3 tear can bench a player anywhere from weeks to months; ultimately, taking them out of the season.
5. Shoulder Injuries: This one is especially for soccer goalies and football quarterbacks and linemen. These positions can take a toll on shoulders. Like other tips, focusing on strengthening and stretching is a player’s best bet in preventing these kinds of injuries.

When the Unavoidable Happens

Our athletes are warriors, but sometimes even warriors get wounded. The following outlines how to handle an injury like a champ.

Take a Breather
If you suspect an injury, take a timeout and assess the situation. Pushing through pain won’t make anyone a hero; it only sets back athletes.

Master the R.I.C.E. Method
Rest up, ice it, compress, and elevate. It’s your secret recipe for a quicker recovery.

Ace the Rehab
Whether rehab is self-guided, with the advice of an athletic trainer, physical therapist, or an orthopedic physician, do everything to the letter. Skipping steps and pushing themselves too hard, too early, is one of the fastest ways for athletes to find themselves back on the bench.

Call in the Pros
Bring in an orthopedic expert like our sports medicine specialists at Beacon. They’ll work to diagnose the injury and develop a unique plan to get every athlete back to the sport they love as quickly as safely possible.

If you or your athlete is suffering from a recent sport injury, schedule an appointment online with us anytime. Our specialists are here to help all of our athletes continue playing at peak condition.