Injuries and other ouchies

Knock on wood! That’s what I do whenever I hear of or even think of some of the bad injuries that can befall a soccer player. I’ve seen women go out for months with torn ACLs, popped Achille’s tendons, and broken collarbones. Many have had knee surgeries. So my various injuries over a span of 30 years seem, thankfully, minor. When I first started playing, I sprained my ankle, a typical roll-over, self-inflicted. It was a day-after-Christmas coed pick-up game and I blamed it on having gotten little sleep. Not long after that, I was chasing after the ball when suddenly my right hip just gave out, as in, I crumpled and could only limp. My husband told me I would probably never be able to play again, but I was determined to defy his prediction! I was having too much fun at this new activity (and my new athletic – who knew? – self) to give up. What followed was 10 weeks of physical therapy, starting with electric stim, icing, slow treadmill walking, icing, regular walking, icing, and a reserve of patience I didn’t know I had. It worked! I have never had that hip issue again! However, black eyes from soccer balls kicked in my face (or my face in the wrong place at the wrong time)? Sure. More times than I can count. It was always fun to go to the market and answer the stares with “Soccer,” whether they believed me or not. I’ve also had my share of broken toes (get out the tape) and plantar fasciitis (bring on the shoe inserts, stretch on stairs), the latter taking sometimes up to 6 months to suddenly disappear. One time during a rush to beat the other player to the ball, I fell on the hard turf (grassless field), and hit my head. I must’ve blacked out for a moment for when I came to, several of my teammates (and a few of the opposition) were looking down at me with motherly concern. As for pulled groins, I discovered there wasn’t much you could do for them except stop playing as soon as you felt a twinge! Long live Advil (but not on an empty stomach!), Biofreeze (menthol actually works!), and Arnica (herbal placebo or miracle gel?)! Moleskin can somewhat alleviate the pain of the occasional blister. But a blister can ruin a whole game!