The Superbowl is right around the corner! The Cowboys are in the running for the playoffs and it looks like they’re getting healthier than they have been all season. Whether the Cowboys make it to the Superbowl will be determined by the Championship game, which in turn, may depend on how injuries play out.

While the Cowboys mostly have healthy players, those who have been injured previously are a concern. Morris Claiborne is back in action, but will he continue to play for the Cowboys? His extensive injuries leave him an uncertain player in the football world. Terrell McClain’s ankle injury in December left him out of games, but recently returned to practice. Cedric Thornton also suffered a sprained ankle, but is hoping to play in the playoff game. This is good news for the Cowboys, but precautions need to be taken.

Re-injury is a real possibility

Injured players often return to practice and game time too soon, leaving athletes at risk of re-injury. As a full contact sport, the risk is high for not only re-injuries, but also for making a previous problem worse. A small ligament tear can become even bigger and a sprain can become a chronic issue. Due to the wide range of movements that football players must perform, there’s no way to perfectly prevent injury, even with the proper shoes, protective gear, and helmets.

With practices throughout the season and games scheduled very often, repetitive use of certain muscles and tissues is inevitable. Even though they know to stretch, warm up, and take necessary precautions, they still have a high probability of overuse strain, making the athlete more prone to injury. Chronic issues can also develop, as well as possible stress fractures. Turf Toe, Plantar Fasciitis, Sesamoiditis, Ankle Sprains and other bone and tissue issues commonly arise for football players because of the nature of the sport.

Will the Cowboys take it all the way to win the Superbowl? We’ll see how injury can be a factor in the outcome, especially if the opposing teams have sustained injuries as well. If you’ve been playing football as well, and sustained injuries, come see our podiatrist, Dr. Jonathan M. Kletz at Texas Foot Works. Other sports injuries can also leave you with overuse or chronic pain issues. Make an appointment today at any of our Abrams (Dallas), Athens, and Gun Barrell City, TX offices so that we can assess your needs and treat them promptly!