Severe soccer injuries in amateurs

I E Goga and P Gongal

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Volume 37, Issue 6, 2003, Pages 498-501

Orthopaedic specialists in South Africa have reported alarming injuries among amateur soccer players in the Durban area. Two doctors undertook a retrospective analysis of injuries sustained during soccer that required treatment at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Natal over a three and a half-year period.

As only severe injuries present to the hospital the findings of this study concentrate mainly on these. Presumably those injuries which are less severe receive medical attention in an alternative setting. Although this would understandably skew the findings of the study, the volume of severe injury is surprisingly high when compared with similar soccer injury audit studies.

Between January 1999 and August 2002 thirty two patients were admitted with severe injuries. The age of the players ranged from 14 to 41 years. The injuries included 18 fractures of the tibial and femoral shaft. Two of the tibial shaft fractures were compound, indicating high-energy trauma. One patient had a fracture-dislocation of the hip, an injury more commonly associated with road traffic accidents. One patient with a popliteal artery injury presented 48 hours after the injury had occurred. Because of the blood loss and tissue damage this patient had to have an above knee amputation.

The severity of injury reported would have a major detrimental effect on a person's ability to work and lead an active life. Any activity that produces such disabling effects should be re-evaluated to ascertain whether preventative measures could be taken. On examining the medical notes (where all the data was derived from) the authors couldn't identify major intrinsic factors predisposing the players to severe injury. 75% of injuries were due to an aggressive tackle and the authors concluded that most of these injuries were due to the psychological attitude to the game and opponents and foul play, as well as poor training, and poor physical facilities such as the playing surface.

In the same period 122 patients were treated as outpatients. The types of injury in this group were similar to soccer injuries reported in other countries. From the data provided it is not possible to say whether the incidence of injury during soccer in South Africa is higher than any other country. The authors have no direct way of knowing how many amateur soccer players there are in Natal, or how often they play. Also the authors don't have any knowledge of whether these matches were sanctioned by the local soccer federation, or indeed if there was a referee present.

In any event, the conclusion by the authors that foul play and player's attitudes during matches were implicated in severe injuries is significant. Players at all levels have a duty of care to be responsible for their actions on the field of play. Players should be reminded that failure to comply with this duty of care could constitute negligence and legal liability for the consequences of their actions.

Go to the journal >

< top of page


SHOP
Shopping Basket

0 Items
£0.00



Pounds Euros US Dollars
Search Products
Browse Products
Supports & Braces Hot & Cold Therapy Foot Care Exercise & Rehabilitation Back & Neck Care Taping & Strapping Physio & First Aid Kits Performance & Recovery Running Accessories
Help