Major injuries include fractures and dislocations (2.4% to 23.2%)1,2,4,8,11 and tears to menisci and/or ligaments. Common fractures include upper limb breaks, such as distal radial buckle (torus) fractures, which are often caused by falls on the outstretched hand, and metatarsal and ankle fractures due to inversion or eversion injuries. The classic “footballer's fracture” is the tibial and/or fibular diaphyseal fracture. Most of these are transverse or short oblique (Figure 2).13

Head injuries, including concussions, eye injuries, and dental injuries, make up 5% to 15% of all injuries.4,5,9,10,12 Overuse injuries, including apophysitis and chronic traction injuries, are responsible for between 5% and 20% of the total.1,4

Figure 3

Injuries are more rarely caused by climate-related problems, missile throwing, goal-scoring celebrations, and equipment failure. Typical goal-scoring celebrations that see players diving exuberantly on top of one another have reportedly caused rib and clavicle fractures.14 Equipment problems include an uneven playing surface, objects lying on the pitch, and goalpost collapse (the latter occurring classically when play is unsupervised).

Approximately half of childhood soccer injuries are caused by direct contact with another player, the ground, or equipment around the pitch.3,4,7 The remaining injuries are noncontact and include deceleration and turning injuries, falls, injuries due to environmental factors, and overuse syndromes.

WHO GETS INJURED AND WHEN?

Adolescents are injured more often than younger children.2,5,6,11 This may be due to increased risk-taking, player aggression, and/or determination.

Figure 4

Those who play on indoor pitches have a markedly increased risk of injury.2,15 The nature of the indoor game differs from that of the outdoor one. The size of the pitch is smaller, and it is surrounded by hoardings or solid walls. The playing surface is artificial and may be turflike or smooth. There is no offside rule, and referees are encouraged to “play the advantage.” Physical contact between players is therefore more common.

Pages: 1  2  3  4  5