Many consider football an exciting sport to watch or to play, but, as a contact sport in which players run into or tackle each other, it often results in significant injuries. Severe injuries, such as broken legs, must be carefully treated. A regimen of rest and rehabilitation --- and possibly surgical intervention --- are necessary to treat a broken leg before you can return to the playing field. Always follow your doctor's instructions if you've suffered a broken leg.
Tibia Fracture
A fracture of the shinbone, known as the tibia, can occur in football due to various mechanisms of injury. Sometimes this bone breaks when the foot is planted but the upper portion of the leg twists. Other times, a direct impact from another player may cause a tibia fracture. A break of this bone may be classified as closed or open. Closed tibial fractures can be painful and cause deformity of the leg, but the skin is not broken. Open fractures result in the bone protruding through the skin. Treatment may involve surgery to reset the bones, particularly in the case of open fractures. You will also wear a cast on your lower leg to allow for healing; this period may last up to four months depending on your doctor's orders.
Femur Fracture
A fracture of the femur occurs in the upper bone of the leg. Although players may sometimes wear pads on the upper legs, femur fractures can still occur from direct impact, particularly from a helmet. A femur fracture may require surgery to pin the bone ends back together, followed by casting to allow the bone to rest and heal, the Sports Science Orthopaedic Clinic explains on its website. While in a cast, you will need to use crutches for assistance with walking until you can put weight on your leg again. A femur fracture, as with any other leg fracture, can cause considerable pain that may need to be managed through over-the-counter analgesics or stronger medications prescribed by your doctor.
Rehabilitation
After your leg has had a chance to rest and recover, you might need to undergo rehabilitation through physical therapy before you can return to playing football. According to the Sports Science Orthopaedic Clinic, this may initially involve stretches of the leg muscle and range-of-motion exercises to begin using the leg once again. The leg muscles may become atrophied and weakened after several weeks in a cast and you will need to perform exercises that strengthen these muscles, as well as those of your ankle to help support your leg. Your doctor will prescribe a set amount of time that you will need physical therapy before you will get clearance to return to playing football.
Prevention
You can prevent further injuries to your legs by following some careful measures while playing football. Always wear protective gear correctly to guard your legs and knees, both during practice and games. Regular warmups and periods of cooling down are also important to keep leg muscles stretched and to avoid injuries that could slow down your playing abilities. To avoid injuring someone else on the field, avoid leading with your helmet while tackling. Instead, keep your head up to prevent a major impact on someone's leg that could cause a significant injury.
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