If you play football or you have a family member that plays, then you no doubt have seen the injuries and physical problems these players endure when participating in this exciting sport. Many times the player will deny them self treatment by a sports medicine specialist because they don’t want to appear “soft”, or because they believe they will be “put out” of a game due to injury. If only these players understood that delaying diagnosis and indeed treatment could impact more severely on their playing power than the treatment itself.

Some of the more common football injuries include those that relate directly to the knees as well as foot and ankle injuries. The football player uses these body parts in one of the most severe and demanding fashions than many other sports ever would. This results in torn and strained ligaments and tendons as well as pulled muscles and even ruptures to tendons. Delaying appropriate and suitable diagnosis and treatment of these injuries can result in the football player cutting their career unnecessarily short.

Allowing the body to heal with closely monitored physical therapy and orthopedic treatment will give the intricate and delicate tissues and muscles of the body the best opportunity to repair. Footballers seem to feel that time lost due to injury is not an option for them. Considering the damage that can proceed when injury is not given the opportunity to heal optimally can result in permanent damage occurring. There is nothing “weak” about giving your body the optimum time to heal and repair itself. Along with the treatment of sports medicine specialists who are able to build strength to the injured area, the football player can actively participate in their bodies healing and be back playing without causing further damage to the area in future.