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Types of leg injuries

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There are numerous injuries that can be sustained by the lower limb. These injuries have been classified according to the following anatomical areas:

Upper leg:
Injuries to this area include contusions to the quadriceps muscle group with varying degrees of severity, myositis ossificans as a result of severe and repeated trauma, hamstring and quadriceps muscle strains as well as femoral fractures.

Knee:
Injuries to this area include medial collateral ligament sprain or rupture, lateral collateral ligament sprain or rupture as well as anterior or posterior cruciate ligament sprain or rupture. The aforementioned injuries all have varying degrees of severity. You also encounter anterior and posterior meniscal lesions to the knee, osteochondral knee fractures, loose bodies within the knee, joint contusions and bursitis of the knee.

Lower leg:
Injuries to this area include shin and muscle bruises and contusions, calf strains and ruptures and leg fractures. You also encounter medial tibial stress syndrome and exertional compartment syndrome and these problems are commonly referred to as shin splints. Stress fractures of the tibia and the fibula are some of the incidents of injury that also occur.

Ankle:
Injuries to this area include lateral ankle sprain, eversion ankle sprains, syndesmotic ankle sprains, ankle fractures, Achilles tendon strain, Achilles tendon rupture and Achilles tendonitis.

When evaluating the above examples we find that anterior cruciate ligament is probably one of the most common injuries that occurs in this anatomical region in rugby. Recent examples of players who have experienced this injury are Gcobani Bobo and Joost v.d. Westhuisen (who has suffered from this injury on more than one occasion).

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Painkillers (Paracetamol)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
COX-2 specific inhibitors
Different Steroids
Cortisone injections

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