The knees are a vulnerable spot for football players, and you should never ignore knee pain after you play or practice. The intensity of the pain is usually a good indicator of the extent of the injury; tears generally hurt more than strains. If you have significant knee pain after playing football, have it checked out immediately. Ignoring the pain could wind up making the injury worse.
Runner’s Knee
Runner's knee is common for football players because of the amount of running done during practices and games. The condition occurs when the kneecap rubs on the side of its groove because your foot does not plant properly, and the pain is at the back of the knee or behind the kneecap. Runner's knee is more common from grass fields than artificial turf because the foot can slide after your cleats dig into the ground.
Knee Bursitis
Bursitis occurs when the bursa in the knee becomes inflamed. The pain in the front or side of the knee or behind your patellar tendon. Your bursa is surrounded by sacs filled with a lubricating fluid, which helps your joints to move easily. When the bursa swells, the fluid cannot do its job properly, which leads to knee pain. Football players commonly suffer from this injury form falling on a bent knee. It can also come as part of a chronic infection, which can arise from an untreated injury.
MCL Injury
The medial collateral is one of the ligaments responsible for supporting the knee. MCL injuries are common in football, occurring when you take a hit to the outside of the knee. The knee bends inward, which can cause these ligaments to strain or possibly tear. When you feel pain on the same side of the knee that an opposing player has hit, it usually means you have a bruise. When the pain occurs on the opposite side, it can signify an MCL injury.
ACL Injury
Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament usually occur when you change direction quickly with your foot planted. It's common in football because your cleats dig into the ground and sometimes don't give. If the knee rotates when this occurs, it can damage the ACL easily. You might not notice the pain immediately if the ligament is merely strained, but it does swell up quickly when the day's play is over. An ACL tear hurts immediately and usually requires surgery to repair.
References
- Sports Injury Handbook: Professional Advice for Amateur Athletes; Allan M. Levy and Mark L. Fuerst
- The Complete Guide to Sports Injuries; H. Winter Griffith
- The Anatomy of Sports Injuries; Brad Walker
