Common football Injuries
Injuries of the knee tend to be most common when playing a high impact activity like football. Typical causes of injuries can be through sudden changes in direction, through jumping or from a poorly timed tackle from an opponent!
Jumper’s knee
Jumper’s knee – also known as patellar tendonitis – is damage to the tendon that attaches to the lower section of the patella or kneecap. It can also refer to injury or inflammation to the upper knee where thigh muscles and tendons attach. Read more about jumper’s knee.
Runner’s knee
Runner’s knee is a collective term for several condition that cause pain around he kneecap, or patella. Although running is the most common source of this pain, it can be related to any activity that involves repeated stress to the knee joint such as walking, cycling, skiing or playing football. Read more about runner’s knee.
Ligament injuries
Ligament injuries in the knee are common, especially for football players. They can occur by themselves or in connection with injuries to other structures including the menisci. Read more about ligament injuries.
Knee hyperextension
Knee hyperextension occurs when the leg excessively straightens at the knee joint putting pressure on the joint. It can happen to anyone but is more common in athletes in high-speed and contact sports and during skiing. Read more about knee hyperextension.
Swollen knee
Swelling in and around the knee joint can be caused by several common conditions. It can come on gradually as part of a chronic condition or suddenly from an acute event or injury. Read more about swollen knee.
Anterior knee pain
Anterior knee pain is used as a general description for a number of conditions which cause pain at the front (anterior aspect) and centre area of the knee. Pain is often associated with activity and can include patellofemoral pain syndrome, runners knee and jumpers knee. Read more about anterior knee Pain.
Hamstring injuries
Hamstring injuries are prevalent in football and most commonly occur when a player is running or over stretching. There are three muscles of the hamstring, the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus.
Foot & ankle injuries
Foot and ankle injuries are another common injury in football with injuries usually sustained during running, changing direction sharply or direct trauma from a challenge from an opposing player.
Common foot and ankle conditions sustained in football include:
- Ankle sprain/ fracture
- Metatarsal sprain/ fracture
- Lisfranc sprain/ fracture
- Heel pain
- Achilles pain
- Turf toe
- Stress fractures
