Soccer is hard on the feet! Injuries to the foot and ankle can occur from running and side-to-side cutting, sliding or tackling and from striking the ball or another player with the foot. Soccer players should be aware of the following risks:
- Inversion ankle sprains can damage the ankle ligaments and can also be associated with peroneal tendon injuries and fractures.
- Ankle fractures, metatarsal fractures and Lisfranc fractures can sideline athletes and sometimes require surgery.
- Contusions and bone bruises may also result from high impact, such as in slide tackling.
- Overuse and excessive training can lead to heel pain (plantar fasciitis), Achilles tendonitis, sesamoiditis, stress fractures, posterior tibial tendonitis (or PTTD) and calcaneal apophysitis in children and adolescents.