Disclaimer

Hamstring strains are a very common injury among footballers. It can be caused by tired or weak muscles, for a tired and weak muscle are not susceptible to high amounts of stretching therefore resulting in a tear or strain. 

Muscle imbalance, if the quadricep muscles are stronger than the hamstring muscles it can result in a hamstring injury being more likely. Previous injury can also result in a strain or tear, and the risk of an injury increases with your age.

Preventing a hamstring tear can be quite easy, if you are in a good physical condition and do regular stretching and strengthening exercises it lessens the risk of an injury. Apply RICE and take a break from sports. You may take pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. 

You may also visit a physio that can give you stretching and strengthening exercises to reduce swelling and pain but also ensure a strong muscle post recovery. For a moderate strain, recovery times are around three to eight weeks.

Groin strain is similar to a hamstring strain, as they both have similar causes and effects. A strain happens when you overstretch a muscle or tendon. 

Contact sports such as football, hockey, rugby, wrestling and boxing can increase your chance for a strain. Treatment is straightforward, use RICE and for the first 48 hours, pain relievers can be used. It is advised to see a doctor. 

The doctor might give you a splint or bandage to immobilise the injury and if you have torn the muscle, surgery might be needed. A light strain takes around 2 weeks to fully heal while a moderate or severe strain could take three weeks or longer depending on the area and severity of the injury.

Calf strain is very similar to the other kinds of strain. It happens when you overstretch or overwork a muscle or tendon resulting in a tear or pull. 

Treatment includes, applying RICE and taking time off from intense sports. You may use a bandage if needed and if it is very painful, you can take painkillers. 

If the injury does not show signs of recovery, visit a doctor. A light strain can take between 2-4 weeks to heal, a moderate 4-6 weeks and a severe strain may take up to 3 months to heal fully.

This strain is very similar to the others, it occurs when you overstretch the quadricep muscle in your leg. It can happen due to a sudden change in direction, violent contraction of the muscle or using the muscle while it is already fatigued.

Treatment includes, applying RICE and doing stretching exercises (see a physiotherapist) that isolate the muscle and strengthen it. 

You can use painkillers if needed and use bandages.  A light strain can take between 2-4 weeks to heal, a moderate 4-6 weeks and a severe strain may take up to 3 months to heal fully.