Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery
1-713-791-0700
2014 World Cup puts Spotlight on Soccer-Related Facial Fractures Soccer is an interesting sport and has millions of fans worldwide. The latest edition of the World Cup saw Germany crowned world champions. However, soccer-related injuries which occur as part of onfield tackles make headlines almost as frequently as the matches themselves. Various types of injuries got several players ruled out of the tournament, and host country Brazil’s bid to its sixth World Cup suffered a harsh blow when a vertebrae injury put Barcelona striker Neymar out of action. Many players like Bastian Schweinsteiger, Clint Dempsey, and Thomas Muller suffered facial injuries. In fact, the World Cup fever had turned attention to soccer-related facial injuries even before the tournament began. On the eve of the 2014 World Cup, a group of Brazilian surgeons reviewed soccer-related facial fractures in a study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery-Global OpenŽ, the official open-access medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). According to the study, soccer players are at risk of nasal and other facial fractures as their face is exposed with lack of protection during the game. The researchers collected
Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery
1-713-791-0700
statistics on 45 patients who underwent surgical treatment for soccer-related facial fractures at 2 top university hospital centers in Sao Paulo in the period between 2000 and 2013. Here are the main findings of the report • 45 soccer injuries accounted for 2% of surgically treated facial fractures during the period • Forty-four of the candidates were male and their average age was 28 years • Eighty-seven percent of the injuries were due to collision with another player • The remaining injuries occurred when the player was struck by the ball • All of the injured players were amateurs • Nose and upper jaw (maxilla) contributed 35 percent of fractures • Cheekbone (zygomatic bone) accounted for another 35 percent • The majority of the other fractures were of the lower jaw (mandible) and eye socket (orbit) The patients were hospitalized for about 5 days on average and most of them could return to play after 6-8 weeks of healing. Treatment for nasal fractures involved repositioning the fractured bones to their right place and splinting till healing is complete. Open surgery and internal fixation were needed to reposition the bones for other types of facial fractures. The average delay from injury till operation was about seven days and in some cases up to 33 days.
Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery
1-713-791-0700
The researchers highlighted the need for proper awareness among first-responders, nurses, and doctors who have initial contact with the injured player about the potential for soccer-related facial fractures and the fracture patterns. Improper or missed diagnosis and delayed treatment can lead to facial deformities and functional problems related breathing, vision, and chewing. They also stressed that the nasal cavity had to be examined for the possibility of septal hematomas or blood collections). Players who suffer injuries should seek consult a plastic surgeon specialized in craniofacial surgery. With expertise in reconstructive and cosmetic procedures, such surgeons can treat fractures of the nose and upper jaw and lower jaw as well as repair facial injury and trauma. Nasal deformities can be set right with rhinoplasty. Players who suffer sport injuries should take time-out or a break from the game for as long as their doctor recommends. With the right treatment, they have every chance of getting back on the field and winning laurels once again.