Soccer Injuries to the Foot and Ankle (2024)

Soccer is hard on the feet! Injuries to the foot and ankle can occur from running and side-to-side cutting, sliding or tackling and from striking the ball or another player with the foot. Soccer players should be aware of the following risks:

Soccer Injuries to the Foot and Ankle (2024)

FAQs

Soccer Injuries to the Foot and Ankle? ›

Contusions and bone bruises may also result from high impact, such as in slide tackling. Overuse and excessive training can lead to heel pain (plantar fasciitis), Achilles tendonitis, sesamoiditis, stress fractures, posterior tibial tendonitis (or PTTD) and calcaneal apophysitis in children and adolescents.

What is the most common foot injury in soccer? ›

Soccer players just need to be aware of the risks and know what steps they can take to play as safely as possible. Common soccer injuries include: Ankle sprain.

Why does my ankle and foot hurt after soccer? ›

Repetitive kicking, bending or stretching your foot can cause soft tissues in your ankle to catch and become pinched, making them swollen, inflamed and thickened. This type of repetitive motion leads to bony outgrowths forming on the front of the talus and tibia, which pinch the soft tissues as you flex your ankle.

What is the most common injury to the foot and ankle? ›

One of the most common foot and ankle injuries in adults is Plantar Fasciitis. Nearly two million patients are treated for this problem each year. It occurs when the Fascia band of tissue in the arch of the foot becomes inflamed, causing sharp pain in the heel of the foot.

How to treat a soccer ankle injury? ›

Initial treatment for an ankle sprain is RICE therapy:
  1. REST – keep off the injured ankle.
  2. ICE – apply ice to the area for twenty minutes every hour; place a towel between the skin and ice, to prevent burns.
  3. COMPRESSION – use a wrap to stabilize the injury; start at the toes and wrap up the leg past the ankle.

Can you walk on a midfoot sprain? ›

A Grade 1 srpain can take 2-3 weeks to heal but a more significant injury can take up to 2-3 months. If surgery is needed it could take 4-6 months to fully recover. Question: Can you walk on a midfoot sprain? Answer: It is not advised to walk on a midfoot sprain if you have pain as it will hinder the recovery.

What's the worst injury in soccer? ›

An Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear is a dreaded injury in soccer, notorious for its lengthy recovery period. It typically results from dynamic actions like sudden stops or sharp changes in direction during play.

How do you heal soccer feet? ›

Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery.

How long does it take for a sprained ankle to heal in soccer? ›

There are 3 degrees of ankle sprains:

Athletes typically recover in 2-10 days. 2nd degree has more swelling specific to the ankle, increased ligament laxity, a limp and your soccer player is unable to heel raise, hop, or run. Typical recovery time is 10-30 days.

What does an ankle impingement feel like? ›

Anterior ankle pain accompanied by a 'blocking sensation' in dorsiflexion. May also present with palpable soft tissue swelling over anterior joint.

How do I know if my foot injury is serious? ›

Seek immediate medical attention if you:
  1. Have severe pain or swelling, especially after an injury.
  2. Have an open wound or a wound that is oozing pus.
  3. Have signs of infection, such as redness, warmth and tenderness in the affected area or you have a fever over 100 F (37.8 C).
  4. Are unable to walk or put weight on the foot.

Did I tear a ligament in my foot? ›

Symptoms. Typical signs of a torn ligament include swelling, bruising and pain in the affected area. These symptoms of a torn ligament occur immediately after twisting the foot, and are accompanied by a sudden shooting pain.

What are the 3 most common ligaments damaged in the ankle? ›

The three ligaments that compose the lateral complex are the anterior talofibular (ATFL), the calcaneofibular (CFL), and posterior talofibular (PTFL) and they tend to be injured in this order with the anterior talofibular ligament being injured most commonly.

Should you play soccer with a hurt ankle? ›

You should refrain from performing activities that put stress on your ankle. Lay down, reduce training, and stay off your foot as much as possible while healing. Ice: Icing your ankle is helpful to reduce inflammation and pain.

How long does it take for a soccer injury to heal? ›

The length of time it takes to heal from a soccer injury generally depends on its type and severity. Most soft tissue injuries typically take from three to four weeks to heal. If a ligament is torn or injured badly enough that it requires surgery to be repaired, however, the athlete may miss out on the entire season.

How long does a broken foot take to heal in soccer? ›

A broken foot can take four to six weeks to fully heal. But in some cases, healing time can take up to 10 to 12 weeks. It depends on which bone is broken and the severity of your fracture.

What foot is more common in soccer? ›

Most people are right-footed, kicking with the right leg. Capable left-footed footballers are rare and therefore quite sought after. As rare are "two-footed" players, who are equally capable with both feet. Such players make up only one sixth of players in the top professional leagues in Europe.

What sport has the most foot injuries? ›

Athletes involved in sports that require jumping and running are typically at higher risk. Sports like running, basketball, soccer, football and dancing place considerable performance demands on the feet, and are often associated with more foot and ankle injuries.

What is soccer toe? ›

Soccer toe, or “turf toe,” is a term used to describe severely bruised toes or sprained ligaments in an athlete's foot. This injury is caused either by repeated impacts against the soccer ball and or by extreme ligament contortions sustained during the game.

What is the most injured position in soccer? ›

confirmed that forwards are the most frequently injured players among all soccer athletes.

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