Knee injuries are unfortunately an all too common occurrence in soccer, due to the pivoting and quick direction changes that the sport requires.The majority of these knee injuries are anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus tears. Although maintaining a high fitness level and learning good jumping and landing technique will contribute to a reduced risk of injury, they will nevertheless happen. The consequences of these injuries can also be quite serious – for example, ACL tears can keep professional players out of action for periods of between 6 and 9 months. Recovery from ACL or meniscus tears requires allowing the injured tissues to rest. There are many knee braces for these soccer injuries that will help by providing support to the injured tissues and allowing them the opportunity to heal with less risk of re-injury. 

You can find some guidance on how to choose a knee brace for meniscus tears here. In addition, you can find some guidance on how a knee brace can help you hear from an ACL injury here.

Once the soccer player is ready to return to the game, he may need to continue using the knee brace for a short period until he or she regains confidence in the knee. In addition to giving him/her confidence, a knee brace can perform a functional role in protecting the knee from potential re-injury until it is once again strong enough to withstand the demands of soccer.

How To Reduce The Risk Of Knee Injuries In Soccer

As the saying goes, “an ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure”. The best strategy for countering injuries in soccer (or any other sport) is to reduce the risk of their occurrence in the first place. Here are some tips for doing this:

• Follow proper warm up and cool down exercise routines;
• Wear proper soccer cleats, as these are specifically designed to facilitate the sharp cuts and changes in direction that are integral to the sport;
• Hydrate properly before, during and after play. This will keep your level of concentration/focus high, and reduce the risk of an injury due to a careless move.

Following these tips in your approach to soccer can reduce the risk that you will incur an injury that may lead to a need to wear a knee brace.