Popular science | the injury of the metatarsal bone, the emphasis is on prevention

Reporter Han Bing reported that the study published in the journal of the British Society of Orthopaedics and Joint Surgery shows that the frequency of metatarsal fractures in professional football has increased in the past 10 years, of which 43% occur without contact and 24% are caused by tackles. The average recovery period was 14.6 weeks. After injury, the foot is painful, swollen, subcutaneous bruised, the foot is shortened and deformed, and it is impossible to walk. Examination may reveal localized tenderness in the fracture area, with longitudinal tapping pain, and X-rays of the orthominal, lateral, and oblique positions of the forefoot to determine the fracture site, type, and displacement.

For amateur footballers and professional players, the first treatment after injury is very important. Within 24-48 hours after injury, soak your feet in cold water or apply ice to the swollen area as quickly as possible. Reduce pain, reduce bleeding, and of course, keep the injured area as still as possible. After 48 hours, hot compresses or hyperthermia devices can be used to speed up blood circulation in the swollen area. Given that 90% of metatarsal fractures require surgical reduction, the recovery period requires eating fewer high-sugar foods or carbonated beverages, eating less irritating foods such as sour and spicy, and avoiding alcohol as much as possible. For amateurs who are used to the after-the-ball supper, this is a difficult period of recovery.

How to avoid metatarsal injuries as much as possible, British sports rehabilitation expert Richard Higgins said that whether amateur or professional players, increasing bone density will greatly help people avoid metatarsal fractures, and increased bone density is also helpful for training. He recommends gradually starting training for bone density 6-12 months before the start of the season, and then forming a systematic training. The specific solution is to jump repeatedly like a sheep on the concrete surface, which was originally a training for osteoporosis in the elderly, but it is also helpful for football fans to avoid metatarsal injuries.

In addition, it is also important to exercise the short muscle of the fibula, as it is the main cause of fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone. In addition, balance training to improve ankle stability is also important.

Players should not overly pursue fashion when buying and using boots, but prioritise comfort and protection of the feet, as well as suitability to the conditions of the field. Many European clubs have banned players from wearing the Blade series of sneakers because the design of the shoes did not fully consider protecting the player's feet and faces, which has caused widespread injuries. Higgins advises players to use cylindrical studs so that when the foot rotates with the shoe, it is not easy to break the foot or strain the tendon. Everyday, you need to wear shoes with a soft sole and better comfort to reduce metatarsal stress.

In terms of diet, Nugent is the best example: drinking more milk is a traditional way to increase calcium intake, stimulate bone growth, increase bone density and accelerate healing at the fracture site. In terms of technology equipment, low-intensity ultrasound devices can send pulses to bones and stimulate growth. The use of the Aqua belt in the pool allows players to run in the water for rehabilitation training without weight on the lower limbs, which is conducive to improving aerobic physical fitness. Higgins believes there is no evidence that hyperbaric oxygen chambers can help recover metatarsal fractures, but since there is such a high-tech device, it may be useful to use it.