World Cup Play Offs and Common Football Injuries

After almost eighteen months of qualifying for next summer's World Cup it is now time for the final few places to be decided, with the European Play-offs taking place over the next week. This time next week we will know which European countries will be competing in Brazil 2014 and which are left with heartbreak and disappointment.

There are some fantastic games to look forward to, with some high profile teams going head to head, most notably Portugal versus Sweden and Ukraine versus France. With the game split across two legs it should be a great spectacle for the neutral fan.

England are already through to Brazil 2014 and luckily do not need to go through the nail biting scenario of needing a win against the French, especially with some key players currently out of action in Carrick and Welbeck. Football injuries are common at any stage of the season, especially in the run up to the busy Christmas schedule, but with some key international games taking place the availability of key players can be the difference between a plane ticket to Brazil or not.

How to manage football injuries

Whether you're a professional or amateur managing football injuries is the same in that you need to stop playing and rest to prevent further damage from taking place. An injury to any area of the body creates a weakness and in the joints can create instability, which in the event of continuing can lead to further injury and an even longer period of time on the sidelines.

The majority of sports injuries are self-limiting and you should expect to recover within a few days following rest and the use of ice to help manage any inflammation encountered. If the complaint fails to clear up then you should seek a professional diagnosis, as the issue may be more serious and require physiotherapy or even surgery to rectify.

Some football injuries are more common than others, but in a sport requiring bursts of speed and turning the lower joints and muscles are more susceptible.

How to manage a hamstring injury

The hamstring injury has entered the spotlight recently with Lionel Messi leaving the field in the first half in the game against Real Betis with what is now confirmed as a torn hamstring. He is expected to be on the sidelines for up to 8 weeks, with a period of rest and intensive physiotherapy on the cards.

A hamstring injury occurs where there is a tear or strain to the large muscle at the back of the leg and common among athletes including runners and footballers. The muscle itself stretches from below the buttocks to just below the knee joint and is very active when running and jumping or any activity requiring the knee to be bent.

The injury itself can be graded depending on its severity, with a grade one tear requiring a few days rest to a grade three rupture or tear requiring a longer period on the sidelines. In Messi's case his 8 weeks is typical of a more serious form of the injury, with his emphasis being on the muscle repairing and being strengthened before he is able to get back onto the pitch.

Knee Injuries

Knee injuries are becoming one of the most common football injuries due to the enhancements in technology, with football boots and pitches designed to offer better grip for players, therefore when the foot stays in one place and the leg attempts to rotate the forces need to be transferred somewhere. Invariably the forces will travel upwards to the next available point which is the knee, which can lead to ligament damage from a twisting of the joint.

Ligaments are the tough bands of tissue connecting the bones within a joint and responsible for its stabilisation, with movement and stability of the joint potentially impaired following an injury. One of the most common knee injuries sustained is the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament), with 40% of all such injuries occurring from high active sports including football, tennis and snowboarding.

An ACL injury can be graded as to its severity, with more serious conditions sometimes requiring surgery. An alternative to surgery and having the ligament rebuilt is to work on strengthening your quads, providing the strength and stability required in the absence of a fully functioning ACL.

Football injuries are an inconvenience as every player wants to play, whether it is in the World Cup or a 5-a-side match after work. Whilst inconvenient it is essential that you do not play through the pain with some injuries as this can make it worse and have an impact on your daily routine, not just your footballing.