Are your injured soccer players at risk of re-injury?

Background Injury rates in soccer are reported as one of the highest of all sports (Schmikli et al 2011). Evidence also suggests that in amateur soccer, re-injury rates are as high as 30% often resulting in more severe subsequent injuries (Ekstrand, Hägglund, and Waldén 2011). It has been suggested that premature return to play is one of the main risk factors for re-injury (Schmikli et al 2011; Junge & Dvorak 2004). Coaches are intergral to the return to play decision in amateur soccer. However, little is known on what influences coaches decisions or how these decisions are supported by interactions with health professionals, including podiatrists.