Injuries that Could Cost Teams the World Cup

“Upper extremity injuries tend to keep the players out of the game for a bit longer”

For some countries, soccer is an integral part of their culture, and their players are hailed as national heroes. So, with the World Cup merely a month away, fans from all over the world are placing their bets on their national teams and players.

One key component that defines these teams’ victories is injury-free players. When a player gets injured at a game, all eyes are turning to the doctors who will treat them, because after all, the fate of their participation in the tournament is in their hands.

Dr. Alejandro Badia, internationally renowned hand and upper extremity surgeon says,

For soccer players, the most common injuries happen in the lower extremity; ACL injuries, ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis, hamstring pull, and strained calf muscle, are some of the most common. However, players can also sustain upper limb injuries, and while it rarely happens, upper extremity injuries tend to keep the players out of the game for a bit longer.

3 most common hand and upper extremity injuries to keep an eye out during the World Cup

While goalkeepers sustain fewer injuries than field players, they are five times more likely to sustain upper limb injuries. Dr. Alejandro Badia narrows down the 3 most common hand and upper extremity injuries to keep an eye out during the World Cup:

1. Shoulder Injuries— over 50% of upper extremity soccer injuries are shoulder related. These injuries can be far more serious than other common injuries and require more recovery time. Shoulder AC joint sprain (separation) and shoulder dislocation (glenohumeral joint) are the two most common injuries in players. AC injuries can occur to any soccer player and they because they vary in severity, can keep players out of the field between 1 and 3 weeks.
2. Hand injuries— Some of the most common hand injuries in soccer players involve fractures, typically phalangeal and metacarpal. These fractures affect players differently from field players, such as a striker, could go back to play in two weeks with appropriate splinting. However, goalkeepers could be absent from playing for several months depending on severity since they are so dependent on optimal hand function. In many instances, appropriate surgical intervention (fracture internal fixation) can accelerate the return to play since the injury is stabilized.
3. Wrist injuries— While wrist fractures (distal radius, scaphoid etc.) are also common, most injuries to the wrist are ligamentous and can be challenging to diagnose. Most result from a fall on the outstretched hand or direct contact with an opponent and can keep some players on the sidelines for weeks or months depending on their position.

No substitute for training and taking the necessary precautions

Even though upper limb injuries represent a minor percentage of soccer injuries, some have greater consequences than lower extremity injuries and require more rehabilitation time. With the kickoff game just weeks away, players should be training and take the necessary precautions to prevent any injury prior to the World Cup. Furthermore, players should be preparing by doing protective exercises and healing their bodies to perform their best and win the hearts of millions.