Soccer is one of the main sports activities in Malta that can keep you active and fit. Most pitches are synthetic grounds and, in many places around the islands, they are providing the opportunity for youngsters and older people to spend some time playing football even late in the evenings.
I have been an MFA first-aider for many years since Pace Grasso ground and have encountered many sports injuries that needed immediate action because some of them were even life-threatening.
A number of football-related injuries occur almost in every game. Some need first aid treatment to recover while others require more medical attention or even hospital treatment. Many injuries could be avoided with just a few precautions. Various types of injuries can occur, ranging from slight abrasions to serious conditions such as head injuries or a fractured spine.
The most dangerous positions in this sport are those of goalkeeper and the forward line.
A common condition is head injury. Proper technique is needed to keep the head and neck rigid while using the body's momentum to force the ball up and away. Special precautions must be taken when training young children especially under 13 years of age.
Repeated heading of the ball must be supervised by instructors because the whole body and the brain are still growing and are susceptible to brain damage.
Neck injuries can be sustained if heading correctly is not practised.
In some cases a player may become unconscious and it is very important to put the person in the recovery position and watch for good airway and proper breathing.
I have treated some cases of head injury when, on examination, I found metal studs inserted in the tongue. Fortunately, the studs did not become loose.
It is very important that, before playing football, any watches, necklaces and studs are removed. Some players try to hide them but it is one of the strict rules of football not to wear them, and this to prevent injuries.
Another injury is overstretching of muscles that lead to strains. To avoid stretching of muscles one should always warm up properly before each soccer game. The commonest areas are the abductor muscles of the leg and the hamstring muscles. Often, excessive stretching, especially when the ball cannot be reached, can cause injury. If there is a certain distance to the ball do not try to go for it because you will miss it anyway.
Kicks to the shins can cause fractures of the tibia. If a fracture occurs, you need to be very careful to prevent a closed fracture from becoming an open one. To avoid injury, make sure you wear shin guards and be careful when you are kicking the ball.
The ankle is another common area where injury can occur. There will be intense pain and it is a pretty serious condition. When twisting the foot, the ligaments may be stretched further than they should and you need to make sure the shoes you wear offer ankle support, be of high quality and have good traction. Wearing proper socks that are breathable and absorbent is also advised.
The knees can be sprained when the body is twisted without moving the foot around too. I have seen a goalkeeper fracturing his leg while trying to grasp the ball without any impact from a player. There may be dislocation if you twist the body too much. It is very important to warm up and use the ball of your foot to rotate and not use your knee for this purpose.
Collisions are one of the most serious injuries, especially when there is loss of consciousness. Collisions will result in painful areas and sometimes neck injuries and leg fractures. Wearing protective padded shields are a must. It is very important that when you are running you look in the direction you are going because some players look at the ball instead of where they are going.
Foot injury, especially the toes, may be affected. The toe becomes swollen and painful and the player needs to rest the foot for some days to help it to heal. You need to wear hard-toes shoes that fit perfectly.
Various types of wounds can occur, and while some of them can be treated during the game others need suturing and the player must go to a health centre or hospital, depending on the severity of the case. It is very important as a first- aid measure to stop blood from a wound and to cover it with a sterile dressing before seeking medical advice.
Another common condition we treat is bleeding from the nose. You must keep the head forward, preventing the person from swallowing the blood. He must breathe slowly through his mouth. Pinching the soft part of the nose for a few minutes will usually stop the bleeding point. If you suspect a fracture of his nasal bone (septum) the person would require hospital treatment.
It is of the utmost importance that a soccer player drinks plenty of water, especially after the game, to substitute the body water loss and prevent dehydration. He needs to breathe through his nose.
At the beginning of the season you need to start slowly and remember that, when playing football, it is better to be safe than sorry.
The author is a qualified clinical instructor.