With the help of expert physios, players including Steven Gerrard and Theo Walcott regularly recover from injuries to hamstrings, quadriceps and ligaments. Find the facts and famous examples on this page
Dislocated shoulder – How does physiotherapy treat a dislocated shoulder?
The shoulder will be reduced and depending on the severity of the dislocation, can be surgically stabilised. Intensive physiotherapy treatment will follow, working on flexibility, muscle strengthening and confidence, to ensure the shoulder does not dislocate again.
Dislocated shoulder: famous football examples
England winger Theo Walcott suffered a series of dislocations earlier in his career, and Chelsea keeper Petr Cech dislocated his shoulder in a Champion’s League semi-final this year.
Groin strain – How does physiotherapy treat groin strain?
Immediate treatment will involve the ‘PRICE’ protocol (protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation). The aim here is to reduce the bleeding and swelling from the injury site. This will also help with pain and can last for around three days.
Following this, the rehabilitation period will include gentle stretching, soft tissue work and muscle strengthening. Once properly healed, the player can start football specific drills, including jumping, running and sprinting.
For safety and to reduce the risk of re-injury, players should complete rehabilitation under the guidance of a chartered physiotherapist.
Groin strain: famous football examples
England captain Steven Gerrard recovered from a mild groin injury leading into the World Cup.
Hamstring strain – How does physiotherapy treat hamstring strain?
Immediate treatment will involve the ‘PRICE’ protocol (protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation). The aim here is to reduce the bleeding and swelling from the injury site. This will also help with pain and can last for around three days.
Following this, the rehabilitation period will include gentle stretching, soft tissue work and muscle strengthening. Once properly healed, the player can start football specific drills, including jumping, running and sprinting.
For safety and to reduce the risk of re-injury, players should complete rehabilitation under the guidance of a chartered physiotherapist.
Hamstring strain: famous football examples
Michael Owen suffered multiple severe hamstring injuries throughout his career, while Spain’s Diego Costa recovered from a strain in time to play in the World Cup.
Thigh (quadriceps) strain – How does physiotherapy treat thigh (quad) strain?
Immediate treatment will involve the ‘PRICE’ protocol (protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation). The aim here is to reduce the bleeding and swelling from the injury site. This will also help with pain and can last for around three days.
Following this, the rehabilitation period will include gentle stretching, soft tissue work and muscle strengthening. Once properly healed, the player can start football specific drills, including jumping, running and sprinting.
For safety and to reduce the risk of re-injury, players should complete rehabilitation under the guidance of a chartered physiotherapist.
Thigh (quadriceps) strain: famous football examples
Man United’s Robin Van Persie and Man City’s Vincent Kompany both missed a number of games this season with this injury.
Meniscus injury – How does physiotherapy treat meniscus injury?
Dependent on the severity of the tear, it can irritate or cause the knee joint to lock. Sometimes following the initial swelling symptoms resolve, and other times surgery is required. In this case, the meniscus is either repaired or trimmed.
Following surgery, the player will have intensive physiotherapy in order to control swelling, pain and increase muscle activation. This may include hydrotherapy and anti-gravity treadmill training initially, before starting football specific drills.
It is important that the rehabilitation is supervised by a chartered physiotherapist to reduce the risk of re-injury.
Meniscus injury: famous football examples
Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez underwent intensive physiotherapy to get fit in time for the World Cup. Other players to suffer the injury in recent times include Fernando Torres, John Terry and Phil Jones.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury – How does physiotherapy treat anterior cruciate ligament injury?
Rehabilitation following ACL injury is long and intensive. It is a staged process to ensure the repair (graft) does not fail from early stressors. Initial treatment will include electrical muscle stimulation, hydrotherapy, anti-gravity treadmill work and exercises for flexibility.
Football specific drills will be introduced later, starting with straight line running. Pivoting and quick turns will be introduced towards the latter stages of rehab, as these put the newly repaired ligament under the most stress. It is crucial that the player’s rehabilitation is closely monitored and progressed by a chartered physiotherapist to reduce the risk of re-injury.
Anterior cruciate ligament injury: famous football examples
Two England internationals have been struck down by ACL injuries in the run up to the world cup. The luckless Theo Walcott suffered his injury against Spurs in January, followed by Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez later in April.
Medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain – How does physiotherapy treat medial collateral ligament sprain?
Immediate treatment will involve the ‘PRICE’ protocol (protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation). The aim here is to reduce the bleeding and swelling from the injury site. This will also help with pain and can last for around three days.
As the ligaments start to heal, the player will be encouraged to put more weight through the ankle joint. The physio will then work with the player on their balance, co-ordination and muscle strength to get them back to match fitness and football specific drills.
They may use bracing techniques to support the joint during rehabilitation. It is important that the rehabilitation is guided by a chartered physiotherapist to reduce risk of re-injury.
Medial collateral ligament sprain: famous football examples
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain experienced a mild MCL sprain following a collision with a player in a World Cup warm-up against Ecuador.
Calf strain – How does physiotherapy treat calf strain?
Immediate treatment will involve the ‘PRICE’ protocol (protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation). The aim here is to reduce the bleeding and swelling from the injury site. This will also help with pain and can last for around three days.
Following this, the rehabilitation period will include gentle stretching, soft tissue work and muscle strengthening. Once properly healed, the player can start football specific drills, including jumping, running and sprinting.
For safety and to reduce the risk of re-injury, players should complete rehabilitation under the guidance of a chartered physiotherapist.
Calf strain: famous football examples
Holland’s former Spurs star Rafael van der Vaart will miss the World Cup with a calf strain.
Sprained ankle – How do physiotherapists treat sprained ankle?
Immediate treatment will involve the ‘PRICE’ protocol (protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation). The aim here is to reduce the bleeding and swelling from the injury site. This will also help with pain and can last for around three days.
As the ligaments start to heal, the player will be encouraged to put more weight through the ankle joint. The physio will then work with the player on their balance, co-ordination and muscle strength to get them back to match fitness and football specific drills.
It is important that the rehabilitation is guided by a chartered physiotherapist to reduce risk of re-injury.
Sprained ankle: famous football examples
Spurs winger Andros Townsend’s chances of making England’s World Cup squad were ended by an ankle ligament injury.
Broken metatarsal – How does physiotherapy treat a broken metatarsal?
Initially the player will be encouraged to take weight off the foot by wearing an aircast boot. Once the medical team are happy that the bone has healed sufficiently, the player will gradually return to play.
The physiotherapist will specifically work on maintaining fitness, muscle strength/length, balance and co-ordination.
Broken metatarsal: famous football examples
David Beckham and Wayne Rooney suffered high-profile metatarsal injuries before major tournaments for England, although both went on to play in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups respectively.
Rooney has suffered the injury on three occasions
