DUBAI 15 July 2018: With the football World Cup fever gripping the world, it is natural to assume that footballers are pain free. However, constant twists, turns and sudden changes of direction involved in football can put the legs and feet of a footballer under tremendous strain.
It has been observed that 50-80 per cent of football injuries affect the feet and legs. 40-45 per cent of leg injuries involve ankle injuries and foot pain, while knee injuries account for 25 per cent of leg injuries.
While most injuries involve little more than some mild pain and discomfort, some can be really serious. One of the most common injuries footballers experience on a regular basis is a sprained ankle, which occurs when ligaments in the ankle are overstretched or torn.
Additionally, footballer’s ankle is another common problem caused by continuous kicking, stretching and upward bending. Lisfranc joint injury that occurs in the midfoot, involves either broken bones or badly torn ligaments, which can be very painful.
“As foot is the primary tool used in football, injuries in the foot are bound to happen. However, most footballers keep their feet protected and in good shape to be able to perform well on the field. While there is no way to avoid injury, proper precautions and preventative measures can lower the risk of injuries,” said Dr. Krishna Prasad Meda, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialised in foot and ankle surgeries at Burjeel Hospital for Advanced Surgery, Dubai.
In his career spanning 12 years, Dr. Meda has seen and advised over 30,000 patients, out of which more than 18,000 have been patients in foot and ankle clinics. He’s operated on more than 9000 patients in total and has performed 6000-foot ankle surgeries as a consultant.
To reduce the rate of injuries related to football, Dr. Krishna Prasad Meda suggest the following measures.
Warm up: When your muscles are ‘cold,’ they are more prone to injury. This can lead to torn ligaments and sprains. It is important to indulge in proper warm up and some light, active stretching to keep the joints and muscles in good condition.
Recognise Injury: Footballers are prone to injuries; which can result in sprains, strains and swelling among many others. It is important that players recognise and seek treatment from specialists for small injuries to avoid more serious damage.
Eat Well: Nutrition can help lower injuries. Eating well before and after a game can provide enough energy to get through the entire match and fasten the recovery process. As such, it is recommended to have a balance of right nutrients which includes proteins, carbs and minerals.
“While the treatment protocol for football injuries varies and can range from basic treatments to comprehensive procedures, it is important that football players take note of their injuries and undergo required therapies to speed up the healing process,” said Dr. Meda.
“There was a trend a few years back, where most sports players would get brownie points for returning back to the game quickly. With time, this has changed. Sports players that come to us now understand that while addressing a problem is crucial, healing and recovery is even more important. As such most of them are now ready to undergo comprehensive treatments to make a spectacular comeback,” Dr. Meda.