Football is a physically demanding sport that places a lot of stress on the legs. Due to the high-impact nature of the sport, football leads to a number of aches, pains and injuries to the legs. These often involve players' knees or ankles.
Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps can lead to leg pain in football players. Muscle cramps are also known as charley horses and have a variety of different causes. You may experience muscle cramps if you choose not to warm up prior to practicing or playing in a game. Muscle cramps can also occur as the result of dehydration and poor diet. Lack of or low amounts potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium in your blood stream can cause muscle cramps. Over-training can also cause muscle cramps. Muscle fatigue as well as strains from repetitive use can cause pain.
Knee Injuries
Football players are susceptible to a number of knee injuries. You can experience a knee sprain, tendinitis, fracture or dislocation. Constant change of direction along with tackles can cause injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament, medical collateral ligament and meniscus. These injuries can cause pain, instability, locking and the inability to bear weight on your leg. Immobilization, therapy and possible surgery are used to treat knee injuries. The treatment for a knee injury largely depends on the severity of the injury.
Ankle Injuries
Ankle injuries are another common cause of leg pain in football players. Collisions on the field as well as injuries from sudden stoppages and changes in direction can lead to injury. Ankle sprains are the most common type of ankle injuries seen in football players. Ankle sprains occur as the result of overstretching the ankle or forcing it out of its normal range of motion. High ankle sprains can also occur which cause pain and damage to the ligaments the hold your lower leg together. Ankle sprains may be treated with rest, immobilization, therapy and the use of bracing to help a player return to the game more quickly.
General Leg Injuries
Hamstring injuries, overuse injuries, hip injuries and calf injuries are other causes of leg pain in football players. Hamstring and calf injuries may occur as the result of failing to warm up or by a collision on the playing field. Overuse injuries in football include stress fractures and shin splints. The pain of these injuries is most severe while participating in football and tends to subside with rest. Hip pain can also occur as the result of repetitive use or during an on-field collision.
