Friday night football is a fall tradition across North Carolina. But with the excitement of the game also comes the possibility of injuries.
Football involves running, sudden changes in direction, tackling, jumping, and physical contact, which can lead to sprains, strains, bruises, and other musculoskeletal injuries.
Some injuries may seem minor at first, while others can cause significant pain, swelling, or difficulty moving. When an athlete is hurt and you’re unsure about the severity of the injury, getting checked by a medical provider can help determine the next steps.
At Carolina QuickCare, we provide convenient walk-in medical care for many non-life-threatening sports injuries, including sprains, strains, bruises, cuts, and other common injuries.
What Are the Most Common Football Injuries?
Football places significant stress on muscles, joints, ligaments, and bones. Injuries can happen during practices, games, tackles, falls, or sudden movements.
Common football injuries may include:
- Ankle sprains
- Knee injuries
- Muscle strains
- Jammed or injured fingers
- Wrist and hand injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Bruises and contusions
- Cuts and abrasions
- Back or neck muscle injuries
- Minor fractures
Some injuries are immediately noticeable, while others may become more painful or swollen after the game.
What Is a Sprain?
A sprain is an injury involving a ligament, which is the strong tissue that connects bones around a joint.
Ankle and knee sprains are common sports injuries because football players frequently run, pivot, cut, land, and change direction at high speeds.
Signs associated with a sprain may include:
- Joint pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Limited movement
- Difficulty putting weight on the injured area
- A feeling of instability around the joint
Because symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the injury, a medical evaluation may be appropriate when pain, swelling, or difficulty moving is significant.
What Is a Strain?
A strain affects a muscle or tendon. Tendons connect muscles to bones.
Strains can occur when muscles are overstretched or injured during sudden movements or physical activity.
In football, strains may affect areas such as the:
- Hamstrings
- Quadriceps
- Groin
- Calf
- Shoulder
- Lower back
Symptoms may include pain, tenderness, swelling, weakness, bruising, or discomfort when moving the affected muscle.
Sprain vs. Strain: What’s the Difference?
Sprains and strains can cause similar symptoms, but they affect different types of tissue.
A sprain involves a ligament, while a strain involves a muscle or tendon.
Because both injuries can cause pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving, it may not always be easy to tell the difference without a medical evaluation.
When Should a Football Injury Be Checked?
A sports injury may warrant medical evaluation when symptoms are significant, worsening, or affecting the athlete’s ability to move normally.
Consider having an injury checked when there is:
- Significant swelling
- Severe or worsening pain
- Extensive bruising
- Difficulty walking or putting weight on an injured leg
- Difficulty moving a joint
- Persistent pain
- Numbness or tingling
- Visible deformity
- Pain directly over a bone
- A popping sensation followed by pain or instability
If you’re unsure whether an injury is minor or may need further evaluation, Carolina QuickCare can assess many non-life-threatening sports injuries.
Can Urgent Care Treat Football Injuries?
Yes. Urgent care can evaluate many common non-life-threatening football and sports injuries.
At Carolina QuickCare, our medical team can evaluate injuries such as:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Bruises
- Minor cuts
- Joint injuries
- Muscle injuries
- Minor fractures and other musculoskeletal concerns
When appropriate, our providers can also determine whether additional testing, imaging, or a higher level of care may be needed.
Urgent care can be especially convenient when an injury happens after school, during practice, or following a Friday night game.
What About Head Injuries and Concussions?
Football can also involve head injuries and concussions.
Possible concussion symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Memory problems
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Changes in behavior or alertness
A possible head injury should be taken seriously. If an athlete develops symptoms following a hit to the head or body, they should be evaluated by a medical professional.
Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms may require emergency medical attention rather than urgent care.
When Is a Football Injury an Emergency?
Some sports injuries may be more serious and require emergency care.
Symptoms such as the following may indicate the need for emergency medical attention:
- Loss of consciousness
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe bleeding
- Severe neck or spinal pain
- Inability to move an arm or leg
- Severe or obvious deformity
- Significant confusion or changes in alertness
- Seizure activity
- Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms following a head injury
For symptoms that may be life-threatening, call 911 or seek emergency medical care.
Why Is It Important to Get a Sports Injury Evaluated?
Sports injuries are not always easy to assess based on appearance alone.
For example, sprains, strains, and fractures can sometimes cause similar symptoms. A medical evaluation can help identify the type and severity of an injury and determine whether additional care may be necessary.
If an athlete is experiencing significant pain, swelling, bruising, limited movement, or difficulty using the injured area, getting checked can provide answers and help determine the appropriate next steps.
Walk-In Sports Injury Care at Carolina QuickCare
A hard tackle, awkward landing, or sudden twist can quickly turn Friday night football into an unexpected injury.
When that happens, Carolina QuickCare is here to help.
We provide convenient walk-in medical care for patients of all ages throughout North Carolina and can evaluate many common non-life-threatening sports injuries.
No appointment is necessary.
Prefer to save time before you arrive? Check in online at your nearest Carolina QuickCare location.
Frequently Asked Questions About Football Injuries
Can urgent care check a sprained ankle?
Yes. Urgent care can evaluate many ankle injuries, including possible sprains, and determine whether additional evaluation or care may be necessary.
How do I know if an injury is a sprain or a fracture?
Sprains and fractures can sometimes cause similar symptoms, including pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty using the injured area. A medical evaluation can help determine what type of injury may have occurred.
Should swelling after a football injury be checked?
Significant, worsening, or persistent swelling may be a reason to have the injury evaluated, particularly when it is accompanied by pain, bruising, or difficulty moving.
Can Carolina QuickCare evaluate sports injuries?
Yes. Carolina QuickCare evaluates many common non-life-threatening sports injuries, including sprains, strains, bruises, minor cuts, and other musculoskeletal concerns.
Where can I take my child for a football injury in North Carolina?
Carolina QuickCare offers convenient walk-in medical care at locations throughout North Carolina for patients of all ages experiencing many common non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Symptoms and injuries can vary from person to person. If you have questions or concerns about an injury, seek evaluation from a qualified healthcare professional. For severe or potentially life-threatening symptoms, call 911 or seek emergency medical care.
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