As a high-impact sport that requires speed, agility, power and strength, football players are often engaged in quick movements and changes in direction, increasing the potential for lower extremity injuries.
Individual factors such as strength, imbalance, previous injuries, playing surface, shoe type, age, and intensity of the activity, play a crucial role in determining vulnerability to injuries in any sport.
Among the most injured joints on the field is the first metatarsal phalangeal joint (MTPJ), with a higher incidence of these injuries occurring on artificial surfaces as compared to grass.
When a player is being tackled or if there is intense force applied at pushoff as the player sprints off the line, the big toe could land hard on the artificial surface causing injury to the cartilage of the first MTPJ.
Offer your Patients a Custom Calibrated Insole with a 98% Patient Satisfaction Rate know more
This could also be the result of external forces (such as being hit by an opponent) or general rotational forces which occur when one is cutting sharply as the foot stays firm on the ground.
The rotational forces cause the hallux to remain glued to the surface, leading to a locking of the first MTP, which results in an osteochondral compression injury.
Among some of the less common injuries could be a stretch or rupture of the flexor capsule, tendons or fracture of the sesamoid bones.
Turf toe is a collective term used to describe a sprain of the medial or lateral collateral ligaments around the big toe joint, caused when the big toe is bent beyond its normal range of motion.
The playing surface and flexibility of footwear are considered to be the most common etiological factors for turf-toe type injuries. The athlete is most vulnerable while pivoting with lightweight flexible cleats on hard playing surfaces, especially with a weak foot posture.
Sharp acceleration, deceleration or cutting during the game, can cause ankle sprains. These occur when the upper body moves faster than the foot as it remains planted on the surface. This twists the ligaments especially of the lateral side (inversion), causing swelling, tenderness and instability in the ankle.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can also be injured in several ways on the field - stopping suddenly, changing direction rapidly or landing from a jump. The use of cleats increases the risk of stretches and tears in the ACL.
A progressive approach to both rehabilitation and prevention is required to reduce the likelihood of re-injury and to get the players back on the field quickly and safely.
Proper rest, conditioning and exercises (involving strengthening and flexibility) must be an inclusion in any rehabilitation program to reduce injury levels.
It is highly important to conduct a thorough evaluation of the athlete’s foot structure, as well as shoe and cleat wear, and to make adjustments accordingly.
Active rehabilitation programmes need to focus on treating biomechanical faults in the lower extremity because of the negative implications in movement and postural alignment.
With foot postural disparities minimised, the athlete will have a reduced predisposition to lower extremity injuries during a game. This will help in enhancing performance and preventing plant and twist injuries in football.
Copyright 2016 MASS4D® All rights reserved.
Offer your Patients a Custom Calibrated Insole with a 98% Patient Satisfaction Rate know more
Orthotic Intervention for Turf Toe Injuries
Why MASS4D® Orthotics?
MASS4D® As An Active Rehabilitation Tool
References:
Rehabilitation of Your Foot and Lower Back Conditions.
Long Lasting Wear
Strong Foot Support
Easy to use
Handmade MASS4D® Quality
FREE EXERCISES
Sign up for free recommended foot exercises, stretching, medical news and everything good for your feet
Please have a a look at our medical reviews and clinical articles on everything about lower biomechanics.
You should always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding personal health or medical conditions.
The content, products and services offered herein, are here to educate consumers on healthcare and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Nothing in the content, products or services should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This site and its services do not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment.
The marks "MASS4D" and the MASS4D logo are trademarks. The content and design of MASS4D.com is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. You may not copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, display, transmit or frame any of these materials without prior written consent from MASS4D®.
Medical Disclaimer
The content, products or services on this site should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is not intended to provide individual medical advice. Included materials and conversations do not imply a personalised doctor-patient relationship.
Copyright and Intellectual property
MASS4D® is owned and operated by Scheibye General Trading LLC - Licence no: 853463
MASS4D® and Logo are registered trademarks of MASS4D Inc. All content, trademarks, artwork, and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of MASS4D® Inc.