Like every other sport, football is accompanied by injuries.

Football is not the most injury-prone sport, but due to the large number of footballers, injuries are common. 87% of all football injuries occur acutely. That is, directly on the football field during training or a match. The other 13% consist of injuries that develop gradually and are often described as overuse injuries.

Four out of five injuries that arise from or during football are in the legs. Ankle sprains are particularly common. A well-known knee injury in footballers is a torn anterior cruciate ligament. In the hip and thigh, groin and hamstring injuries are characteristic.

Acute injuries

After an acute injury, it must first be assessed whether there is a fracture. If a fracture is suspected, you must go to see a doctor immediately. Usually, there is no fracture, but continuing to play may also not be possible. Continuing to play after an acute injury is therefore not advised.

If a trainer, first aider, or physiotherapist is present, they can assess how serious the injury is. Have the injury assessed in any case within a week by a physiotherapist, sports physiotherapist, or doctor. This is important for good recovery, especially in the case of a serious injury.

If an acute injury causes swelling in a joint or muscle, you may apply cold. Try to keep "relative" rest for the first hours/days. That is, movement is allowed but within limits. And do not perform movements that cause pain.

Football injuries at A&E
The most common football injuries treated at A&E are fractures, often in the lower leg. But wrist and finger fractures are also seen.

Non-acute injuries

In addition to acute injuries, many football injuries also arise from overuse. These are mainly muscle-tendon injuries. These injuries develop gradually. The first signs are often pain or discomfort after training or a match. If this is the case, take some rest and ask a physiotherapist or trainer for advice on how best to deal with it.

Common football injuries

Preventing injuries

Injuries will always exist, but you can reduce the risk of injury. Mainly by starting training or a match in good condition. Sleep enough and eat healthily to keep the body as energetic as possible. Fatigue is a major risk factor for injury. To keep the body as strong as possible, strength training is essential. Muscle-strengthening exercises reduce the chance of injuries. A good warm-up and the build-up of training are also important.

Try to stay active during the summer and winter break and build up training gradually. This also applies if the level or intensity is increased, for example, when training frequency goes from once to twice a week.

Using a brace or tape, for example for the ankle, can also help prevent injuries. The most important factor in preventing injuries is good recovery after a previous injury. The biggest risk of injury is returning to the football field too soon after an injury.

Treatment of football injuries

The treatment of football injuries depends on the nature of the injury. Other important aspects for treatment are the mechanism of injury and the location of the pain. A physiotherapist can help you with this. In many cases, it is necessary to follow an exercise programme after the injury. This will strengthen the leg or ankle again and reduce the chance of being injured again.

Football injuries