Anterior cruciate ligament sprain 3rd degree Michael Owen injured the anterior cruciate ligament with a 3rd

degree sprain in his right knee in a World Cup group stage match between England and Sweden. An anterior cruciate ligament sprain is a soft tissue injury caused both intrinsically and extrinsically. If you have a sudden (acute) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, you typically know when it happens. You may feel or hear a pop, and the knee may give out, causing you to fall. The knee swells and often is too painful or unstable for you to continue any activity. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/anterior-cruciate-ligament-acl-injurieswhat-happens The symptoms of this injury include pain and the inability to play competitively. Other symptoms include swelling, stiffness and instability. http://www.physioroom.com/injuries/knee/acl_sum.php A 3rd degree anterior cruciate ligament sprain can rule footballers out of competitive football for around 9 months. Treatment includes resting the knee, applying ice, using gentle compression with an elastic bandage, elevating the leg, and taking pain medicines, such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Use crutches and/or splints in the first few days. If crutches or splints are used for too long, the muscles will become weaker from too little activity. Then movement of the knee will become stiff and restricted. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/anterior-cruciate-ligament-acl-injuriestreatment-overview

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icnewcastle/jun2006/3/2/F58E293E-EC8B2080-3EF83B521877F08F.jpg Link to video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyI_gXOE2bw

Fractured Tibia Eduardo fractured his tibia bone in a premier league match for Arsenal against Birmingham City. A fractured tibia is a hard tissue injury that is caused extrinsically. Tibial plateau fractures occur by three main mechanisms. The first is by a medial or lateral based force (such as the so called bumper fracture when a cars bumper strikes the outside of a persons leg creating a valgus, or inward, force across the knee). The second mechanism is by a pure axial, or compressive force (such as a fall from height). The third mechanism is by a combination of both axial and medial or lateral directed force. http://www.sportsmd.com/sportsmd_articles/id/322.aspx The symptoms of the injury are pain and the inability to play competitively. Other symptoms include swelling, stiffness and weakness. http://www.physioroom.com/injuries/calf_and_shin/tibia_fibula_fracture_sum.php It can rule a player out of action for 9-12 months. Eduardo took 12 months to recover from a fractured tibia. Initial treatment for a broken leg usually begins in an emergency room or urgent care clinic. Here, doctors typically evaluate your injury and immobilize your leg with a splint. If you have a displaced fracture, your doctor may need to manipulate the pieces back into their proper positions before applying a splint a process called reduction. Depending on the amount of pain and swelling you have, you may need a muscle relaxant, a sedative or even a general anesthetic before this procedure. Some fractures are splinted for a day to allow swelling to subside before they are casted. Link to video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dahv9rBiWAk&feature=related

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Hamstring Strain Fernando Torres suffered a1st degree strained hamstring playing for Spain in the world cup final against Holland. A strained hamstring is a soft tissue injury caused intrinsically. Muscle strains and tears most commonly occur because of what is called an "eccentric contraction." When this occurs, the muscle is trying to contract while another force (the ground, another player, etc.) is forcing the muscle in the opposite direction. This creates tremendous force on the muscle, and if the force is strong enough, it will tear the muscle fibers. http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/sprainsstrains/a/hamstring.htm The symptoms of a strained hamstring are pain in the hamstring and the inability to play competitively. http://www.physioroom.com/injuries/hip_and_thigh/hamstring_strain_sum.php A first degree strain can rule a footballer out of competitive football for 3-4 weeks. Fernando Torres took three weeks to recover from the hamstring strain. Treatment of a pulled hamstring is dependent on the severity of the injury. Because of bleeding and swelling, athletes should stop their activity and rest immediately. An ice pack and compressive bandage can be applied to control swelling. Crutches may be necessary if walking is painful or if spasms are severe. If the pain is significant, or if the symptoms do not steadily resolve, medical evaluation should be obtained. http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/sprainsstrains/a/hamstring.htm

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/matchcentre/article525425.ece/ALTERNATES/gallerylarge/+Fernando+Torres+of+Spain+lies+injured+-+cropped Link to video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6rhDpELsSg

Ankle fracture Antonio Valencia suffered a fractured ankle in a Champions League game playing for Manchester United against Rangers. The ankle can be broken in several different ways. The most common injury is where the ankle is rolled over to the side, as occurs with an ankle sprain. Sometimes with this movement there is only soft tissue damage, however in more forceful or rapid movements, a fracture can occur to either the lateral (more common), medial or posterior malleolus. This is known as a Potts Fracture. http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/ankle-achilles-shin-pain/brokenankle A fractured ankle is a hard tissue injury caused extrinsically. The symptoms of a fractured ankle are pain, swelling, stiffness, instability and weakness. A fractured ankle also stops a footballer from playing competitively. http://www.physioroom.com/injuries/ankle_and_foot/index.php

A cast is usually done after a few days, unless the swelling is minimal and it may be done early after the injury. A cast is made either of plaster or fiberglass. Plaster molds to the skin better, and is preferred if the cast is needed to hold the broken bone in a specific place. If the fracture is not unstable, or if some healing has taken place, a fiberglass cast may be used. The fiberglass is lighter weight and more resilient to wear. http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/ankleproblems/a/anklefracture_2.htm

Crutches are important, because almost all types of ankle fractures will require some level of immobilization and rest following the injury. Sometime, patients will not be able to place any weight on the ankle for several months, other times within days to weeks. An ankle fracture can rule a footballer out for 9-12 months. Antonio Valencia missed 11 months of competitive football with a fractured ankle.

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Link to video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejHihHoM5cU&feature=related