As World Cup Fever Sweeps UAE, Doctors Warn of Sports Injuries Among All Age Groups and Share Prevention Tips.
Dubai: As football fever sweeps across UAE homes, schools, academies and community grounds, more children are taking inspiration from World Cup stars and more adults are returning to the sport after years away.
With some sports injuries requiring surgery and months of rehabilitation, two doctors have highlighted common mistakes made by players and shared advice on how to reduce injury risks.
Not “just a sprain”
Dr Ahmed Dohiem, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Medcare Orthopaedics and Spine Hospital (MOSH) in Dubai, said one of the most frequent issues he encounters is ankle injuries being underestimated or ignored.
He recalled treating a teenage footballer who twisted his foot during a match and was initially advised by a general doctor that it was likely a growth-related or overuse injury, allowing him to continue playing. However, when the pain and swelling worsened, further examination revealed a stress fracture near the ankle.
In another case, Dr Dohiem treated a teenager whose injury was initially dismissed as a “simple sprain”. A closer examination revealed a cartilage injury affecting the ankle joint that required surgery. In a third case, an injury first managed as a sprain with a cast was later diagnosed as a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon. The patient underwent surgery, followed by immobilisation and a structured rehabilitation programme before eventually returning to football.
“The key lesson is not to assume every ankle injury is ‘just a sprain,’ especially in children,” Dr Dohiem told Gulf News.
“If a child cannot walk properly, has significant swelling, or the pain isn’t improving, they should be assessed early.”
Knees under pressure
Beyond ankle injuries, doctors say the knee is among the joints most at risk in football, largely due to the sport’s frequent pivoting movements, sprinting and sudden changes in direction.
Dr Dohiem said football places significant strain on the knee, with ligament sprains, meniscus tears, patellofemoral pain and tendon-related overuse injuries among the most common problems seen in children and amateur players. Younger athletes may also experience growth-related conditions such as Osgood-Schlatter disease.
Dr Alameldin Sobhe, Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, highlighted a similar range of football-related injuries, including ankle sprains, ACL and MCL tears, meniscus injuries, hamstring and quadriceps strains, groin problems, contact-related bruises and fractures involving the wrist, collarbone or lower limbs after falls.
Among children, he stressed that growth plate (physeal) injuries require particular attention, as missed cases can potentially affect normal bone development in the future.
The ACL threat
Both specialists identified anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears as among the most serious injuries associated with football. Dr Dohiem explained that the ACL plays a key role in stabilising the knee, and a tear can make the joint too unstable for activities involving sprinting, sudden stops and changes in direction. Such injuries often require surgical reconstruction followed by six to 12 months of rehabilitation.
He noted that most ACL injuries occur without direct contact from another player, typically resulting from an awkward landing or a sudden twisting motion while the foot remains planted.
Dr Sobhe said recovery from an ACL tear can take around nine to 12 months and warned that these injuries are often accompanied by damage to the meniscus and cartilage, increasing the risk of developing early knee osteoarthritis. He added that returning to sport before completing proper rehabilitation significantly raises the chances of re-injury.
A “pop” followed by pain
Dr Sobhe shared the case of a 16-year-old football player who twisted his knee while changing direction without any contact from another player. The teenager heard a “pop”, experienced immediate swelling and was unable to continue playing. An MRI later confirmed a complete ACL rupture along with a meniscus tear.
He underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction and meniscal repair, followed by a structured rehabilitation programme. After 10 months of recovery, he returned to competitive football with excellent knee stability.
“Non-contact ACL injuries are common and are often preventable through neuromuscular training programmes,” Dr Sobhe said.
Common mistakes
Both doctors agreed that one of the biggest mistakes players make is continuing to play despite pain. Children and amateur athletes often dismiss discomfort as a minor sprain and carry on, which can worsen the injury.
Dr Dohiem also highlighted another common problem: returning to football after a long break without first rebuilding fitness, strength and flexibility, which can increase the risk of injury.
Dr Sobhe highlighted a wider range of preventable risk factors, including skipping warm-ups, incorrect landing and cutting techniques, weak core and hip muscles, imbalances between the quadriceps and hamstrings, insufficient fitness levels, overtraining without adequate recovery, returning to sport before completing rehabilitation, unsuitable footwear, poor playing surfaces and ignoring early signs of pain or swelling.
Red flags to watch
Both specialists advised parents and players to take certain warning signs seriously, including severe swelling, difficulty bearing weight, visible deformity, a popping sensation, knee instability or locking, and pain that does not improve after several days.
Head injuries require urgent medical attention if symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, confusion, severe headaches or loss of consciousness occur.
For immediate first aid, both doctors recommend following the RICE approach — rest, ice, compression and elevation. Ice should be applied for 15 to 20 minutes at a time during the first 48 hours, and players should avoid forcing movement or returning to the game on the same day.
Prevention pays off
Warm-ups are often underestimated, but both doctors say they play a crucial role in reducing injury risk. They recommend structured programmes such as FIFA 11+, which studies have shown can significantly reduce ACL injuries.
Strengthening the hamstrings, glutes and core, improving balance and body control, practising correct landing techniques, maintaining flexibility, using suitable footwear and avoiding overtraining can all help prevent injuries. The doctors also emphasised the importance of proper hydration, nutrition and sleep.
Coaches and parents play a key role
Both specialists stressed that coaches should design age-appropriate training programmes that combine football skills with strength, balance and mobility exercises, while carefully monitoring players’ workloads.
Parents, meanwhile, should take children’s complaints of pain seriously rather than dismissing them, support healthy nutrition and recovery, and avoid encouraging a return to the pitch before rehabilitation is complete.
As Dr Sobhe said, prevention deserves the same focus as treatment: “Protecting young athletes today helps preserve healthy joints for the future.”
