Staying Safe on the Field: Common Football Injuries and Prevention Tips

Football season is upon us and anyone who has ever played even the most casual of games knows how high-contact the sport can be. Even with proper protection, injuries can occur. If you play football or have a child who plays, it's important to recognize common football injuries, how to prevent them, and when to seek help to minimize lasting damage.

Common Football Injuries

Football players commonly experience injuries to the ankles, knees, head, and shoulders. Here's what you need to know:

• Ankle injuries: Running and jumping repeatedly throughout a football game or practice can cause ankle sprains, strains, tears, and fractures. Symptoms of an ankle injury include bruising, swelling, and tenderness.
• Concussion: A concussion is a head injury that can result from blows or hits to the head or body that cause the brain to shake inside the skull. Symptoms of a concussion include balance problems, confusion, dizziness, and memory loss.
• Knee injuries: Pivoting on the field or giving or receiving a tackle can cause knee sprains, ligament tears, and tendonitis. Symptoms of a knee injury include instability, pain, and swelling.
• Shoulder injuries: Hitting, pushing, and throwing can cause shoulder injuries, such as separations, sprains, strains, cartilage damage, fractures, and dislocations. Symptoms of a shoulder injury include difficulty lifting or rotating the arm, instability, popping, and weakness.

If you sustain a football injury, you should seek medical treatment from a sports medicine specialist as soon as possible. The sooner you address your pain, the better your treatment outcomes will be.

Preventing Football Injuries

You can reduce your risk of getting a football injury by:

• Wearing the right protective gear: Wear all protective gear correctly and invest in a good pair of shoes to support your movements.
• Warming up before you play: Make sure you warm up before you hit the field. Jumping jacks, jogging in place, and gentle stretching are great ways to prepare for the game.
• Getting in shape before the season starts: During preseason training, focus on maintaining and increasing flexibility, aerobic activities, strength exercises, and endurance drills.
• Properly fueling your body: Hydrate before, during, and after games. Leading up to game day, try to eat foods that are high in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

Addressing Football Injuries

Not all football injuries are preventable. If you get injured on or off the field, the expert sports medicine specialists at The Spine & Sports Center have the tools and expertise to provide relief. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment in Hoboken, Jersey City, or Bayonne, NJ, contact us today.