The qualifying groups have now finished and nine European countries are guaranteed places on the plane to Rio next summer. There are still four places up for grabs however, with the eight best runners up battling to take the remaining places, making for a very tense and pressured set of games.
The play-offs are always tense, with some big countries battling to make it to the World Cup, including Sweden, Portugal and France. The World Cup Qualifying groups are always tense near the end, with England needing to beat Poland to guarantee top spot and send Ukraine into the play-offs, something they did with a decisive 2-0 win over Poland.
There were no major upsets on the night, with the Scotland victory not impacting on Croatia reaching the play-off games. From an England perspective there were no injury concerns during the match which will make a lot of club teams very happy as the Premier League reconvenes this weekend.
Injuries in football are a major concern for both club and country, with both Sturridge and Townsend doubts for the qualifiers following recent injuries. If you consider the current Premier League Injuries in Football List then is already fairly extensive with over seventy players currently out of action, with Arsenal having nine players out.
Most importantly, there are a wide range of injuries in football including both joint and muscle issues, from a twisted ankle to an ACL injury to a groin strain. Each type of injury can vary in its severity and as a result, the length of recovery period required and the rehabilitation prescribed. In this article we will focus on some of the minor injuries in football including a twisted ankle and mild muscle strains.
Managing a Twisted Ankle
A twisted ankle is one of the most common forms of ankle injury, occurring as a result of the ankle joint rolling beyond its normal range of motion. This can happen when you slip on the ice, falling from a kerb, landing awkwardly from a jump or catching your foot in the turf on the football pitch. Regardless of how it happens a twisted ankle causes damage to the ligaments within the joint.
Ligaments are the tough bands tissue connecting bones within a joint and are responsible for offer a person stability, essential in the ankle joint in being able to apply weight to the joint and be able move freely. The more serious the ligament damage the longer the recovery period will be.
A twisted ankle is largely self-limiting and requires a few days of rest without apply weight to the joint. Following an injury to any joint it becomes a lot weaker and should you decide not to rest, then there is an increased risk of further injury leading to an even longer spell on the sidelines. Whilst a twisted ankle may be very painful you can use ice to help manage the inflammation and pain.
From a footballing perspective there is little chance a player can continue a match following a twisted ankle and a substitution is inevitable to allow treatment to commence immediately. During recovery a player may opt to wear an ankle support which is designed to offer support to the joint giving great stability during movement.
Handling a Hamstring Injury
A hamstring injury can vary in its severity, from something which will put a player out of action for a couple of weeks to something ending their season should surgery be required. The injury happens as a result of tear to the tendons at the back of the thigh and common among sports where running is required.
The hamstrings are tendons at the back of the thigh connecting the thigh muscle to the bone and are active when performing any activity requiring the knee to bend. A grade one tear of the hamstring is considered minor and can take anything up to a couple of weeks to repair. The majority of muscle based injuries are self-limiting and following a period of rest you will be ready to get back in training.
In more serious tears of the tendon there can be inflammation and swelling, for which ice is recommended. For a complete rupture of the muscle surgery may be required to stitch the muscle back together.
Once there is a weakness in any joint or muscle then there will be an increased probability of further injury in the future. Players will typically pay special attention to muscle or joint strengthening exercises and may even use sports braces for additional support during training and even during a match.
Whilst a twisted ankle or a grade one hamstring tear are somewhat minor compared to some of the other injuries in football they still require a period of time out of action to recover. Every team needs to have its best players on the field and work hard to ensure an injured player receives the best treatment to have the best chance of a full recovery. Outside of professional football, should you suffer from an injury and are unsure as to its severity then you should seek clinical advice for a professional diagnosis.
Grand Prix Of Poland And The Importance Of Knee Bracing
This weekend sees the start of the 2015 speedway season with the Grand Prix of Poland in Warsaw. The Stadion Narodowy will play host to the world's best as Tai Woffinden takes on the best.
Managing Common Knee Injuries Ahead Of The Champions League Last 16
This week will see the second round of the last sixteen of the Champions League, with a number of crunch matches taking place and an exciting spectacle of football for the neutral. The biggest game of the tie from an English perspective has to be Manchester City taking on Barcelona, an opportunity for one of the wealthiest clubs in the world to book their place in history by knocking out one of the most successful.
Common Knee Injuries From Mountain Biking
Mountain bikers can suffer from a variety of injuries whether from overuse or following a crash or fall from your bike, all with varying degrees of severity. The more extreme the route, the bigger the adrenaline rush but also the bigger the injury should you come off your bike at speed. Luckily, the majority of injuries sustained are minor and self-limiting in that you should expect to recover following a few days of rest.
