What to Do if You’ve Injured Your Foot or Ankle Playing Soccer

The main soccer injuries of the foot and ankle are contusions, sprains and fractures. Contusions result from tissue injury, while sprains and fractures result from ligament and bone injury respectively.

The main causes of these injuries are:

• Making a sharp turn
• Being entangled in another player’s foot after a tackle
• Excessive physical stress on the foot when landing after a header attempt or a jump
• Hitting an unexpected rut during a run
• A side twist of the foot especially when playing with spiked soccer shoes

How to avoid these injuries:

• Avoid a tackle with your feet grounded
• Avoid playing on slippery and uneven ground
• Use appropriate and properly fitting spiked soccer shoes when able
• Stretch and warm up your feet and ankles before play

If you end up with a soccer injury of your foot or ankle, stop playing and place a ice pack on the site of injury and wrap your foot or ankle. Take some ibuprophen or other NSAID pain relievers, and make an appointment with your doctor for an evaluation and possible x-ray. He or she may prescribe continued rest, ice, compression and elevation, or further measures like a cast or surgery may be required.