Football players use their legs a lot. Kicking, running, dodging, everything is done with their legs while keeping the game plan in mind. Speaking of legs, the ankle can be at a huge risk of injury. Severe injuries like a fracture can force you to quit the game for months and consult an orthopedic surgeon. So, here are some of the most common ankle injuries in football players.

Ankle Injuries In Football

High Ankle Sprain

Ankle sprains are very common. It is normal for football players or other athletes to twist their ankles while running. It can hurt a lot and the area is extremely swollen and painful. Ankle sprain or high ankle sprains occur when there is too much stress on the legs and it causes the tendons and muscles to lose their elasticity. This causes the ankle to become tightly coiled and not loose at all.

So, this is why it’s recommended that football players warm up before a session of endless running and training. This gets their legs moving. The symptoms of ankle sprains include:

Swollen ankles
Pain when rotating the ankle
Difficulty in walking

To heal your ankle, it is recommended to take loads of rest and give your leg a break. Icing and cold compresses also help a lot when it comes to ankle sprains. Additionally, light stretching and slowly putting weight on the ankle will do the trick in no time.

Osteochondral Lesions

Osteochondral lesions can be caused by the spraining of the cartilage surrounding the ankle. If you see a bruise forming on the ankle out of nowhere, then it is probably osteochondral lesions. The symptoms include:

Pain in the ankle
Locking of the joint
Jerky movements or stumbling when walking, etc.

If the pain is unbearable, then you can go for corticosteroid injections and those can really make the pain go away in no time. However, it is recommended that you try to take a breather and give your ankle a much-needed break.

Lateral Ligament Injury

Lateral ligament injury is caused when you lose your footing in football matches or miss the ball and it leads to the inward twisting of your foot. It is extremely painful and it can be very dangerous, considering the fact that it can cause bone dislocation and other issues. If you feel:

Sudden pain in the ankle
Swelling and tenderness
Pinching pain radiating all the way up to your knees

Then, you need to see a doctor right away and get an x-ray or MRI done. In most cases, rest and elevation do the trick. However, in severe cases, surgery might become inevitable.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which the plantar fascia is inflamed or swollen. It is a very common condition to occur in soccer players and it can lead to immense pain in the heel, arch, and even the ankle of the foot. Some of the most common symptoms include:

Pain in the heel, arch, and ankle of the foot
Stiffness, especially after long periods of not moving too much or in the morning
Tenderness on the bottom of the foot

Plantar fasciitis can also be caused by wearing improper footwear. So, you have to make sure that you’re wearing shoes that are your size and they cushion your feet perfectly.

Also, icing the foot and ankle will also get rid of the pain for good. You also want to rest properly and avoid moving your leg too erratically. It doesn’t mean that you can’t move it at all but try to be gentle. To avoid complications, do see a podiatrist Woodbridge.

Ankle Impingement

Your ankle is surrounded by the soft tissues of muscles and cartilage, so if that can get squeezed between the bones, then it can cause a lot of pain. It is mainly caused when you overuse your ankle or move it at a weird angle suddenly which happens more often than not for football players. It can lead to:

A lot of pain in the ankle area, including the front and the back
Swelling around the ankle
Very sharp pain when you climb up the stairs or do specific exercises like jumping, squatting, and lunging

In order to heal from this injury, rest and physical therapy is key. You’ll feel pain-free if you give your leg and ankle a break.

Fractures

Fractures are also some of the most common ankle injuries to occur. Fracture is defined as the breaking of a bone due to a high-impact fall or collision. It is really common for soccer players to suffer from fractures, especially in their feet and ankles.

The ankle is a protruding joint of the bone and it can lead to a lot of pain. If you’ve taken a really bad fall or your ankle has shattered pretty badly because of an injury or very forceful impact, then fractures won’t be far away. The symptoms of fractures include:

Bone deformation
Very tender and swollen ankles
Inability to move the ankle without feeling immense pain
Shooting pain when you try to put weight on the ankle

So, bone fractures sound and are pretty painful. This is why it is necessary to ensure that you’re seeing a doctor right away. Depending on the type of fracture, you may or may not need a surgery. Bones have a natural way of healing themselves, given that you give them time to heal. So, your foot will probably be put in a cast or sling of sorts to keep the ankle from moving too much. This is going to lead to better healing and fusion of the bone in no time.

Achilles Tendinopathy

If you’re someone who engages their legs a lot in sports then the Achilles tendinopathy can have a tendency to tear. This injury or the pain associated with it can occur close to the Achilles heel and in the neighboring region. Some of the symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy include:

Pain that is unbearable in the mornings or after long periods of inactivity
Swelling in the ankle
Stumbling and inability to put weight on the ankle

Achilles tendinopathy is a very common ankle injury and a lot of athletes suffer from it. Luckily there is no need for surgical intervention and you can heal in no time with proper rest, rehabilitation, and light stretches and exercises.

If you really want to amp up the healing process, then massages will also do the trick. They’re relaxing and no one can ever turn down a good massage that relieves the tension in the muscles.

Achilles Tendon Rupture

The Achilles tendon is not directly associated with the ankle, but a tendon injury can lead to lasting effects on the ankle. In football players, there is a huge range of motion and swift change of direction, so it is inevitable for players to suffer from torn Achilles tendons. The symptoms include:

Pain in the back of the heel and ankle
Inability to move due to excruciating pain

Rest, physical therapy, and elevation usually heal the injury and you will be back to normal.

Conclusion

Football might not come to mind when you think of some of the most dangerous things to do, but one slip and your ankle can take the brunt of the force. In this case, you will need the assistance of a sports medicine doctor Woodbridge who can diagnose, treat, and create a rehabilitation plan for you.