1. Common Football Injuries and Illnesses

  • Ankle sprains
  • Hamstring strains
  • ACL tears
  • Concussions
  • Fractures (tibia, fibula, clavicle)
  • Dislocations (shoulder, finger)
  • Contusions (bruises)
  • Muscle cramps
  • Heat exhaustion/heat stroke
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Asthma exacerbations
  • Hypoglycaemia

 

2. Injury Management Overview

Each entry includes:

  • Cause in football context
  • Signs & Symptoms
  • First Aid Treatment (basic)
  • Paramedic-Level Interventions (JRCALC-relevant)
  • Clearance Criteria & Time Off

 

Injury: Ankle Sprain

Cause: Twisting or turning foot awkwardly during tackles or poor landing Signs: Swelling, bruising, pain, limited range of motion First Aid: RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), immobilise Paramedic: Rule out fracture (OTTAWA), pain relief (Entonox/Paracetamol), possible referral Clearance: GP or Physiotherapist; Time off: 1–3 weeks mild, 4–6 weeks moderate

Injury: Hamstring Strain

Cause: Sprinting, overstretching Signs: Sudden sharp pain at back of thigh, bruising, stiffness First Aid: RICE, avoid weight-bearing Paramedic: Pain relief, assess for avulsion fracture Clearance: Physiotherapist or GP; Time off: 2–6 weeks

Injury: ACL Tear

Cause: Sudden stop/change in direction, awkward landing Signs: Popping sound, instability, swelling, inability to continue First Aid: Immobilise, pain relief, arrange ED transport Paramedic: Immobilisation, analgesia, pre-alert hospital if unstable Clearance: Orthopaedic consultant; Time off: 6–12 months (post-op rehab)

Illness: Concussion

Cause: Head collision or ground impact Signs: Confusion, memory loss, dizziness, nausea, LOC First Aid: Remove from play, observe, refer for medical review Paramedic: ABCs, C-spine precaution, neurological assessment, convey to ED Clearance: GP, A&E, or specialist; Time off: Minimum 2 weeks, graded return

Injury: Fracture

Cause: Tackle impact, fall Signs: Deformity, swelling, pain, crepitus First Aid: Immobilise, monitor for shock Paramedic: Splint, pain relief, cannulation if needed, pre-alert Clearance: Hospital ED/Fracture clinic; Time off: 6–12 weeks

Illness: Heat Stroke

Cause: Prolonged play in high heat, dehydration Signs: Red/hot skin, confusion, collapse, temp >40°C First Aid: Cool rapidly, remove from heat, hydrate Paramedic: Active cooling, IV fluids, urgent transport Clearance: Hospital; Time off: Until full recovery and GP sign-off

 

3. Return-to-Play/Work Clearance Table

Injury/Illness Clearance Authority Time Off Recommendation Notes
Ankle Sprain GP or Physio 1–6 weeks Based on severity
Hamstring Strain Physio or GP 2–6 weeks Graded return to play
ACL Tear Orthopaedic Surgeon 6–12 months Post-op recovery required
Concussion GP or A&E Clinician Min 2 weeks Must pass return protocol
Fracture Fracture Clinic 6–12 weeks Radiological confirmation
Heat Stroke Hospital Clinician Variable Full recovery essential

4. Performer/Participant Information Handout

What to do if injured:

  • Stop activity immediately
  • Inform the on-site medic or first aider
  • Cooperate with assessment

Who to report to:

  • Set medic, team physio, or supervisor

Why no return without clearance:

  • Returning too early can worsen injuries or endanger health

What ‘Clearance’ Means:

  • Documented sign-off by a qualified professional (e.g., GP, hospital discharge letter, or physiotherapy sign-off)

 

5. First Aider/Medic Quick Reference Poster

Immediate Response Steps:

  • Assess ABCs
  • Manage life-threatening injuries first
  • Apply RICE or immobilisation if needed
  • Remove from play
  • Observe for red flags

Red Flags for Escalation:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizure
  • Suspected fracture/dislocation
  • Severe pain or deformity
  • Unresponsive after injury

Return-to-Participation Decisions:

  • Must be symptom-free
  • No signs of re-injury or instability
  • Cleared by appropriate clinician

Injury Summary Table:

Injury First Aid Paramedic Clearance
Sprain RICE Pain relief GP/Physio
Fracture Immobilise Splint + ED Hospital
Concussion Observe Neuro obs GP/Hospital
Heat Stroke Cool + hydrate IV + ED Hospital