Soccer season coincides with spring, which means those working in physical therapy jobs will soon see many athletes who participate in this sport. Every physical activity puts individuals at risk for injury, but soccer carries its unique set of common ailments. As a physical therapist, it's important to expect and prepare for these maladies so you can offer adequate care. Here are a few to watch out for:
Turf toe
This particular injury can happen in many sports, but it is especially apparent in soccer players. Turf toe is characterized as a sprain in the metatarsophalangeal joint, the largest joint in the big toe. It occurs when the joint is in the hyperextension position and cannot effectively shift your body weight to the other foot. The term turf toe stems from the idea that this injury is more prevalent for those who play sports on artificial grass.
Immediate treatment makes athletes less likely to develop long-term problems related to turf toe, such as bunions and stiffness, but prompt care requires PTs to gauge the severity of the injury. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the scale ranges from grade 1 to grade 3. Grade 1, which is the least severe ranking, is characterized by slight swelling and tenderness due to stretching the plantar complex. Medical professionals identify turf toe as grade 2 when the athlete partially tears his or her plantar complex, which leads to moderate swelling and bruising and limited mobility. Finally, a completely torn plantar complex constitutes as a grade 3 injury and has symptoms of severe swelling, bruising, tenderness and limited mobility.
PT treatment for turf toe involves strengthening and stretching the big toe. As a medical professional, you likely have an entire tool kit and knowledge base for this purpose. However, there are certain components that contribute to the prevalence of turf toe, and it's important to inform soccer players of these risks as well.
As Podiatry Today explained, shoes with stiffened soles or forefoot areas can help mitigate the occurrence of turf toe. However, prolonged use of this footwear can also cause issues for the knees, ankles and hips. Additionally, advise that the athletes train on real grass if possible to avoid turf's injury-causing friction.
Meanwhile, keeping the soccer player off the field until the injury heals can present another major challenge. Explain to the patients that they may still improve their fitness levels by utilizing stationary bikes or swimming without putting pressure on the metatarsophalangeal joint.
Ligament injuries
According to U.S. Soccer, athletes of this sport are prone to ligament injuries in the lower extremities, namely the knees. As a PT, you know that there are myriad things that can go wrong with this part of the body, and soccer players' unique movement put the ligaments, tendon, meniscus and cartilage all at risk for injury. For instance, these athletes may develop "jumper's knee," an overuse injury in the main knee tendon. Additionally, medical professionals often see damage to the meniscus, which results from rotating the femur.
Once an injury occurs, you can offer PT services and treatment plans, but you should also provide advice on how the patient can avoid the affliction in the future. U.S. Soccer noted that warmup exercises such as jogging and zigzag running can aid with muscle building and neuromuscular control. Meanwhile, activities that strengthen hamstrings and stretch leg muscles also provide injury-prevention benefits.
Muscle strains
If a soccer player experiences a muscle strain, it likely occurred in the hamstring or groin. These injuries are especially common among professional athletes, whose long strides and back-and-forth battle with acceleration and deceleration on the field put them at a higher risk for injury.
A major component of preventing muscle strains is stretching, according to Soccer.com. Warmups should target the hamstrings and groin and focus on strength building and flexibility. The appropriate gear can go a long way in avoiding injury, too. Soccer.com noted that athletes who play on dry and hard turf should wear cleats with shorter spikes, whereas longer spikes are advantageous for practicing on a softer surface. Ask that your patients bring in their cleats so you can explain what a properly fitted shoe should feel like.
Many athletes won't be too keen on being a benchwarmer even if successful recovery calls for a break from the sport. Clinical psychologist Dr. Samantha O'Connell explained to the Boston Globe that more athletes are "toughing it out" and playing through the pain because that's just part of sports culture. However, this habit has dangerous consequences. To encourage adequate healing, offer some suggestions for soccer players who have to sit on the sidelines. For example, advise pediatric patients to do homework during practice or offer to film games so team members can better review their performance.