Common Soccer Injuries

1. Common Soccer Injuries Paul Halford PA West Soccer Association

2. Lower Extremities Account for 61% - 80.9% of all injuries Ankle Sprains Shin Splints Stress Fractures Anterior Cruciate ligaments Quadricep Contusions Groin Strains

3. Ankle Injuries Sprained (twisted) ankle is the most common type of ankle injury. A sprain is the stretching or tearing of ligaments Mechanism: Inversion or turning of the foot inwards Eversion or turning of the foot outwards

4. Grade 1, 2 & 3 Tx: R.I.C.E. Seek medical evaluation Return to practice/game • Can the athlete: • Balance on injured ankle, raising up on toes • Run in a straight line • Running, changing direction • all activities must be pain free • Sidelined for 2 – 6+ weeks

5. Shin Splints Pain in the front of the leg Mechanism: Many causes Generally an overuse injury Can be a stress fracture Tx: R.I.C.E Seek medical evaluation Return to Practice/Game Is the athlete pain free after a prolonged run. Sidelined for 1 – 2 weeks

6. Return to practice/gameSlowly increase running, running on alternate days. Maintain healthy diet. Sidelined 6 – 8 weeks Stress Fracture Mechanism: Overuse injury. Occurs when muscles become fatigued and unable to absorb added shock. The muscle then transfers the overload stress to the bone causing tiny cracks. TX: R.I.C.E seek medical evaluation

7. Return to practice/game1. Knee is symptom free 2. Performance in functional tests 3. Psychologically prepared for return. to activity Sidelined 6 – 9 months Anterior Cruciate Ligament Mechanism: Can be either contact or non – contact injury Non-contact; When the lower leg is rotated while the foot is planted. E.g running fast, decelerating and sharply cutting TX: seek medical evaluation

8. Quadricep contusion (Often called a “dead leg” or “charley horse”) Mechanism: Blunt force trauma to the muscle. Graded 1, 2 or 3 Tx: R.I.C.E. Seek medical evaluation, Intense physical therapy for motion Complications; Myositis Osificans • Return to practice/game • Run, • Run with change of direction • Jumping • All activities must be pain free • Sidelined 2 –3 weeks

9. 1. Run, 2. Run figure of eight’s around cones All activities must be pain freeSidelined 2 –3 weeks Groin Strain Graded 1, 2 or 3 Mechanism: Overextension of the groin TX: R.I.C.E. Seek medical evaluation Return to practice/game

10. Upper Extremities Shoulder Head

11. TX: R.I.C.E. Seek medical evaluation Shoulder Acromio-clavicular joint Mechanism: Falling on the shoulder, elbow or outstretched arm • Return to practice/game • Full Range of motion • Pain free with running Sidelined for 2– 3 weeks

12. Dislocated shoulder Mechanism: A direct blow to the shoulder or fall TX: Immediate reduction by a Physician Recurrence rate 100% in contact sport . Return to practice/game If treated conservatively: Full active motion and strength Sidelined 3 –4 weeks 4 – 6 months (If surgery)

13. Sub-luxation “Dead arm syndrome” Numbness and tingling Mechanism: forced abduction with external-rotation Tx: Remove from activity and Ice Seek medical evaluation Return to practice/game Full range of motion, full strength all pain free Sidelined: 1 – 3 weeks

14. Head • Concussion: Slight, Moderate or Severe • or can be graded 1 - VI • Mechanism: Blow to the head • Tx: Remove from activity immediately • Seek medical evaluation • Return to practice/game • Symptom free then start light exercise. • Sports specific activity with no contact. • Symptom free and clearance from MD then soccer activities with contact • Sidelined – will depend on severity

15. Facial injuries Contusions Nasal Teeth

16. References: The Physician and Sportsmedicine Sportsinjuryclinic.net Principles of Athletic Training.. Dr. David C. Neuschwander, M.D.