Written by: PROFESSOR ALI GHOZ
Published: 18/01/2023
Edited by: CONOR LYNCH
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 evidencebased 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 preseason 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
