Most Popular Sports Injuries During Football Season
With football season in full swing, teams in the NFL and college football teams are gaining a large number of injuries. Due to the nature of the sport, football is a high-energy and high-contact sport. With the high impact and repetitive nature of the sport, many players can get injured, which can lead to teams having a number of players sidelined for a portion of the season or even the remainder of the season with a variety of different football injuries. If you play football or know someone who plays football, it is important to be aware and be able to recognize some of the different types of sports injuries that may occur during the football season. It is also extremely important to know how to treat such injuries and minimize any lasting damage that may occur. If you have experienced a traumatic injury while playing sports, you may need to seek medical help. A sports injury specialist NY, New York Sports Medicine Institute can provide you with the care you need.
Common Football Injuries
It is unfortunate that injuries are all too common in football due to high speeds and full contact. Regardless of the protective equipment being worn, football players are prone to injuries that can occur anywhere on the body. Whether it is from the force that is applied to an opponent to bring them down to the ground or resisting the force being brought to the ground, injuries can happen. Some of the most common football injuries include the following:
- Concussions: Despite the use of helmets and other protective equipment, football players are commonly dealing with concussions. A concussion is known as a mild traumatic brain injury that is caused by a direct hit to the head or body. An impact to the ground can cause a dramatic hit to the head and can lead to serious impairment to the brain function. Symptoms of a concussion include headache, dizziness, confusion, loss of consciousness, and short-term memory loss.
- Overuse Injuries: Specifically, pain in the lower back or overall back pain is a common complaint amongst football players due to overuse. This type of injury can commonly be seen in all levels of football, and can cause serious back injuries.
- Ankle/Knee/Shoulder sprains/dislocations: Injuries involving the ankles, knees, and shoulders are the most common injury in football. The medial collateral ligament tear (MCL), Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear (ACL), and the meniscus tear are very common. Due to quick and frequent movements in football, the knees are susceptible to traumatic injuries such as these. These types of knee injuries can affect a players’ long term involvement in football, sidelining them for the season or even longer. These types of knee injuries can also require surgery and rehabilitation, which can be lengthy.
- Fractures/Strains/Dislocations: Foot and ankle fractures, shoulder dislocations, hand and wrist injuries, quad and groin strains, and others are also very common injuries among football players. These conditions may seem minor, but they can take a long time to heal, and if not treated right away, it can worsen and make the condition worse and can lead to chronic conditions.
For more information on football injuries, click here. At New York Sports Medicine Institute, a sports injury specialist NY, can provide a variety of highly specialized treatments to properly evaluate and treat sports related injuries and chronic conditions that affect the shoulder, knee, hip, elbow, hand, wrist, foot, and ankle.
Tips to Avoid/Prevent Football Injuries
Of course, the required use of helmets, pads, and braces helps reduce the impact of injuries, serious injuries in football are still common and happen often, but the proper equipment should be worn as well as well-fitted shoes that will help support your movements on the field. Performing proper warm-up exercises and hydrating often can help minimize cramps and help maintain your health. Cool down exercises and stretches before and after a game can also help reduce muscle soreness. Be aware of any new pain or discomfort you may be feeling and stop playing to avoid overexerting your body, which can lead to more serious conditions and injuries.
Contact Us: Sports Injury Specialist NY
If you or someone you know have sustained an injury on the field, you should schedule an appointment with a sports injury specialist NY. At New York Sports Medicine Institute, our team is committed to helping you return to your active lifestyle with a speedy recovery and help restore function. NYSMI provides excellent and high-quality sports medical care. Contact us today or visit one of our locations so we can give you the comprehensive care you need to get you back in the game.