Football season is an exciting time for high school athletes and their families. From preseason practices to Friday night lights, players spend countless hours training and competing. Unfortunately, football is also one of the highest-risk sports for orthopedic injuries. Knowing the most common football injuries and how to prevent them can help athletes stay healthy, perform their best, and avoid time away from the game.
At Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center (OSMC), our sports medicine specialists treat football injuries ranging from minor sprains to complex fractures and ligament tears. Whether you’re preparing for the season or recovering from an injury, understanding injury prevention is key to a successful year on the field.
Common Football Injuries in High School Athletes
Football places significant stress on the muscles, joints, and bones due to frequent contact, rapid changes in direction, and explosive movements. Some of the most common high school football injuries include:
Knee Injuries
The knee is one of the most frequently injured joints in football. Athletes may experience:
- ACL tears
- MCL sprains
- Meniscus injuries
- Patellar tendon injuries
Sudden twisting, cutting, awkward landings, and direct contact are common causes of knee injuries.
Shoulder Injuries
Tackling and blocking can lead to:
- Shoulder dislocations
- AC joint sprains (shoulder separations)
- Rotator cuff strains
- Labral injuries
Proper tackling technique and strength training can help reduce the risk of shoulder injuries.
Ankle Sprains
Quick changes in direction, uneven footing, and player contact make ankle sprains one of the most common sports injuries among football players. While many sprains heal with conservative treatment, repeated ankle injuries can lead to chronic instability if not properly evaluated.
Concussions
Even with proper equipment, concussions remain a concern in contact sports. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, balance problems, nausea, or sensitivity to light and noise. Any athlete with a suspected concussion should be removed from play immediately and evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional before returning to sports.
Fractures and Broken Bones
High-impact collisions can result in fractures involving the wrist, hand, collarbone, forearm, ankle, or lower leg. Prompt evaluation and treatment help ensure proper healing and a safe return to play.
How to Help Prevent Football Injuries
While not every injury can be avoided, athletes can lower their risk by following healthy habits throughout the season.
Complete a Sports Physical
A back-to-school sports physical helps identify health concerns before the season begins and ensures athletes are ready to safely participate.
Strength and Conditioning
Building strength in the core, hips, shoulders, and legs improves stability and helps protect joints during competition.
Warm Up Before Every Practice
Dynamic stretching and sport-specific warm-up exercises prepare muscles and joints for activity while reducing the risk of strains and sprains.
Use Proper Technique
Learning proper tackling, blocking, and landing techniques can reduce unnecessary stress on the body and decrease injury risk.
Don’t Ignore Pain
Pain is your body’s warning sign. Continuing to play through pain may turn a minor injury into one that requires weeks—or even months—of recovery.
Injured During a Game? The HURT! App Connects You to Orthopedic Experts
Football and sports injuries don’t always happen during regular office hours. A rolled ankle during a Saturday tournament or shoulder injury after a Friday night game can leave families wondering where to go next.
That’s why OSMC offers the free HURT! App, providing 24/7/365 access to live orthopedic guidance.
With the HURT! App, you can:
- Connect with an orthopedic specialist anytime
- Receive guidance for new orthopedic injuries
- Upload photos of an injury for evaluation
- Determine whether home care is appropriate
- Learn whether to visit an OSMC OrthoCARE Walk-In Clinic, schedule an appointment, or seek emergency care
The HURT! App is available on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, making expert orthopedic advice available whenever an injury occurs.
Download the OSMC HURT! App today: https://www.poweredbyhurt.com/osmc
Please note: The HURT! App is intended for new orthopedic injuries and should not be used for post-operative questions or medication concerns.
Expert Sports Medicine Care in Northern Indiana
Whether your athlete has a sprained ankle, shoulder injury, knee pain, fracture, or concussion, the sports medicine specialists at OSMC provide comprehensive orthopedic care to help athletes recover safely and return to the field.
Serving Northern Indiana, Michiana, and Southwest Michigan, OSMC offers sports medicine, orthopedic evaluations, physical therapy, diagnostic imaging, and convenient OrthoCARE Walk-In Clinics to keep student-athletes healthy throughout football season.
This season, focus on prevention, listen to your body, and remember that expert orthopedic care is always within reach. If an injury occurs, OSMC is here to help you get back in the game safely.
