How to prevent recurring football injuries

Top Doctors recently spoke to distinguished consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, Professor Ali Ghoz, to discuss all things football injuries. Here, the esteemed surgeon tells us how one can reduce the risk of sustaining injuries when playing football, and outlines the most common injuries in football these days.

What are the most common football injuries?

The most common football injuries are ligament, cartilage, or soft tissue injuries. Muscle strains and stress injuries are also highly common football injuries.

The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most common ligaments to be injured. The menisci are also at a high risk of being injured. Other ligaments that can be injured include the collateral ligaments, which are usually managed conservatively. Hamstring injuries, related to not being prepared enough, are also extremely common.

How do you reduce the risk of sustaining injuries when playing football?

There have been quite a lot of advancements when it comes to the management of football injuries. One of the key factors that has been shown to have evidence-based backing in preventing football injuries is actual training to avoid ligament injuries, such as ACL injuries.

There have been quite a few studies done to show that ACL rehabilitation pre-season training and conditioning before the season starts is hugely important when it comes to preventing knee injuries. So, it’s all about excellent warming up and cooling down before and after playing, and constant strength and conditioning training.

If you are injured, when should you visit a doctor?

If you sustain an injury to your knee that causes pain, swelling, locking, or the knee giving way that does not resolve, then ideally you should be consulting your orthopaedic surgeon for an assessment.

What specialists can treat football injuries?

Specialist knee physiotherapists, knee surgeons, and orthopaedic surgeons are all experts when it comes to treating football injuries.

How can you prevent injuries from reoccurring?

It is very important to look at why and how the injury occurred. For example, if you had an ACL injury, people should wear a knee brace to support the knee. It is important to undergo pre-conditioning before the football season to strengthen the muscles at the front and back of the injury in order to prevent injury. Adequate footwear is also highly important.

Professor Ali Ghoz is a reputable consultant orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in sports injuries. Consult with him today via his Top Doctors profile to book a consultation with him.