C Woods1, R Hawkins, M Hulse, A Hodson. 1. The Football Association, Medical and Exercise Department, Lilleshall National Sports Centre, Shropshire, UK. caroline.woods@TheFA.com
Abstract
AIM: To conduct a detailed analysis of ankle sprains sustained in English professional football over two competitive seasons. METHODS: Club medical staff at 91 professional football clubs annotated player injuries. A specific injury audit questionnaire was used together with a weekly form that documented each club's current injury status. RESULTS: Completed injury records for the two competitive seasons were obtained from 87% and 76% of the participating clubs. Ankle ligament sprains accounted for 11% of the total injuries over the two seasons, with over three quarters (77%) of sprains involving the lateral ligament complex. A total of 12 138 days and 2033 matches were missed because of ankle sprains. More sprains were caused by contact mechanisms than non-contact mechanisms (59% v 39%) except in goalkeepers who sustained more non-contact sprains (21% v 79%, p<0.01). Ankle sprains were most often observed during tackles (54%). More ankle sprains were sustained in matches than in training (66% v 33%), with nearly half (48%) observed during the last third of each half of matches. A total of 44% of sprains occurred during the first three months of the season. A high number of players (32%) who sustained ankle sprains were wearing some form of external support. The recurrence rate for ankle sprains was 9% (see methodology for definition of reinjury). CONCLUSION: Ankle ligament sprains are common in football usually involving the lateral ligament complex. The high rate of occurrence and recurrence indicates that prevention is of paramount importance.
AIM: To conduct a detailed analysis of ankle sprains sustained in English professional football over two competitive seasons. METHODS: Club medical staff at 91 professional football clubs annotated player injuries. A specific injury audit questionnaire was used together with a weekly form that documented each club's current injury status. RESULTS:Completed injury records for the two competitive seasons were obtained from 87% and 76% of the participating clubs. Ankle ligament sprains accounted for 11% of the total injuries over the two seasons, with over three quarters (77%) of sprains involving the lateral ligament complex. A total of 12 138 days and 2033 matches were missed because of ankle sprains. More sprains were caused by contact mechanisms than non-contact mechanisms (59% v 39%) except in goalkeepers who sustained more non-contact sprains (21% v 79%, p<0.01). Ankle sprains were most often observed during tackles (54%). More ankle sprains were sustained in matches than in training (66% v 33%), with nearly half (48%) observed during the last third of each half of matches. A total of 44% of sprains occurred during the first three months of the season. A high number of players (32%) who sustained ankle sprains were wearing some form of external support. The recurrence rate for ankle sprains was 9% (see methodology for definition of reinjury). CONCLUSION: Ankle ligament sprains are common in football usually involving the lateral ligament complex. The high rate of occurrence and recurrence indicates that prevention is of paramount importance.
Authors: P Lüthje; I Nurmi; M Kataja; E Belt; P Helenius; J P Kaukonen; H Kiviluoto; E Kokko; T P Lehtipuu; A Lehtonen; T Liukkonen; J Myllyniemi; P Rasilainen; E Tolvanen; H Virtanen; M Walldén Journal: Scand J Med Sci Sports Date: 1996-06 Impact factor: 4.221
Authors: Raymond J Walls; Keir A Ross; Ethan J Fraser; Christopher W Hodgkins; Niall A Smyth; Christopher J Egan; James Calder; John G Kennedy Journal: World J Orthop Date: 2016-01-18