Football/soccer

Abstract

At the beginning of the 21st century, FIFA estimated 250 million soccer player worldwide, which makes soccer one the world's most popular sports. Soccer is being played on various surfaces: grass, turf, dirt, sand or concrete. The lower extremity, and particularly the ankle joint are prone to injury. Mechanism of injury can be of direct force (tackling), or indirect (sprain, overuse). Injuries can be severe and in the worst case be career ending. Long term sequela of repetitive ankle injuries, like osteoarthrits, can have an impact on the athletes life quality beyond his/her sports career. The focus should be not only on treatment of the acute and chronic injuries, but especially on injury prevention.