World Cup 2014: Soccer Injury List Continues to Grow

Injuries are an unfortunate part of any game, but to have them happen during the World Cup can spell disaster for any player.  This year’s list of injuries continues to grow, and many players are feeling the impacts of the game. Here is just a short list of some of the teams who have been down a man since the beginning, as a result of a recent injury, or are at least dealing with questions of whether or not their teammates will be fit enough to compete in the upcoming days.

-        Belgium’s Christian Benteke ruptured his Achilles tendon in April and was promptly ruled out.

-        Russian captain Roman Shirikov was also deemed out because of an Achilles tendon injury pre-World Cup.

-        England’s Theo Walcott is recovering from a knee injury that kept him from the competition.

-        Italian midfielder Riccardo Montolivo suffered a broken leg in a warm-up game, missing his team’s defeat against Uruguay on the 24^th.

-        Mexico midfielder Luis Montes also suffered a major injury, fracturing his leg in a friendly game against Ecuador.

-        Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo continues to deal with the pain from a knee injury, although it hasn’t kept him from playing as of yet.

The list of absent players continues to grow as the games go on.

Many of these players are currently, or will very shortly be treated for their specific injuries in a variety of ways by trained and experienced sports medicine physicians. This treatment may include physical therapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, or custom knee braces, and although it will reduce their physical pain, it likely won’t do anything to dull the mental anguish of having lost the chance to help their teams make it to the finals.

If you are, like many of the World Cup players, suffering from a soccer injury, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today to get some relief. Call us today 416 800 0800.

World Cup 2014: Yaya Toure’s Hamstring Injury

Thanks to the sudden acceleration soccer players commonly do to chase the ball down, sprinting outright down the pitch, or due to a direct hit, hamstring injuries are very common within the sport. The hamstring muscles, that group of large powerful muscles that span the back of the thigh, are in no way immune to damage, and several World Cup 2014 players are currently dealing with this painful condition.

After sustaining a hamstring injury during play for Manchester City in the English Premier League, Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast’s three time African player of the year, was cleared for play in the World Cup. He went on to help secure a 2-1 victory over Japan on the 14^th, followed unfortunately by a 2-1 loss to Columbia on the 19^th. Although his injury was treated in the weeks before the tournament, the midfielder has been out there pushing hard.

Symptoms of a hamstring injury can include bruising, swelling, muscle spasms and difficulties with muscle contraction. The treatment of a torn hamstring depends on the severity of the injury, and can include icing or compressive bandaging, or using crutches to help take some of the pressure off of the muscles. Physical therapy is a common form of treatment to help relieve the symptoms of a hamstring injury. Before any treatment is started, a thorough assessment of the injury by a sports medicine physician is critical to ensure optimal recovery.

If you have sustained a hamstring injury, whether as a result of a soccer game or any other sport, Athletic Edge Sports Medicine can help. Contact us today by calling 416 800 0800.

World Cup 2014: Concussion Management for Bruno Martins Indi

Soccer is well-known for its level of risk, and this year’s World Cup has seen its fair share of injuries so far, and unfortunately is likely to see even more before the champion team is crowned on July 13^th. The speed at which players take to the pitch, coupled with the inevitable collisions, can mean disaster.

Thanks to an injury sustained during Netherlands’ game against Australia, defender Bruno Martins Indi missed the final Group B match against Chile on the 23^rd, although victory was secured against Chile. Martins spent the night in hospital after suffering a concussion during the game that saw a 3-2 victory over Australia. The concussion management team suggested “baby steps” toward complete recovery.

Like any sport with contact (and even those without) concussions seem to be a major injury for many soccer players, making effective concussion management really important. The right diagnosis and treatment can help avoid long term impacts. The difficulty in diagnosing concussions makes this treatment even more important.

If you have sustained a head injury, diagnosis is critical to ensure proper treatment. This includes the use of tools such as BESS (a standardized balance test) and IMPACT (a computer-based cognitive test) to ensure optimal recovery and safe return to work and play.

If you have sustained a head injury, especially if you are unsure about its severity, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine for concussion management. Call us today at 416 800 0800.