Former professional football players who sustained foot or ankle injuries during their careers are significantly more prone to developing osteoarthritis after retirement. The risk is higher in those who have received regular cortisone injections. This is the conclusion of researchers at the University of Nottingham. The study was published in the journal "Rheumatology".
Soccer is a sport with a high risk of injury, particularly to the lower extremities. The most common injuries among players are ankle sprains and foot fractures. These injuries usually occur during games where the load, speed and contact between players is particularly intense. Joint injuries can cause pain, swelling and cartilage damage, which over time leads to osteoarthritis of the foot or ankle, which is accompanied by chronic pain and reduced mobility.
According to the authors, approximately one-quarter of professional soccer players sustain foot or ankle injuries during their careers. Doctors often resort to injectable therapy—corticosteroids, local anesthetics, or platelet-rich plasma—to speed athletes' return to the field. However, such methods remain controversial because they may mask joint damage and contribute to long-term deterioration.
The researchers surveyed 424 former football players between August 2020 and October 2021. It found that among those who developed osteoarthritis, 73% reported foot or ankle injuries, and 75% reported receiving corticosteroid injections during their careers. Many athletes received more than four injections during the season, exceeding the recommended dosage.
"Our results clearly show that a serious foot or ankle injury during an active career is a major and potentially preventable risk factor for developing osteoarthritis in adulthood," said study leader Professor Wei Zhang.
Translation:Euromedia24.com-in:
