You’ve broken your wrist, and you’re wondering if that means sitting on the sidelines while your teammates lace up their cleats and head onto the soccer field.
The short answer is Yes, you can play soccer with a broken wrist, but should you?
That’s where things get a bit more complicated.
Let’s look into what you need to know about playing soccer while nursing this particular injury.
Understanding Your Broken Wrist Injury
A broken wrist is no small thing. Whether it’s a simple fracture or a more complex break, your wrist is important in daily life-even if not directly involved in kicking a ball.
When doctors refer to a “broken wrist,” they’re usually talking about a fracture in one or more of the small bones in your wrist, or the radius, the larger bone in your forearm.
How bad is your break?
Some breaks are minor, requiring little more than a cast and some rest. Others might involve surgery, pins, or plates to hold everything together.
The severity of your break, the type of treatment you’re undergoing, and how far along you are in your recovery journey will all make a difference in determining how safely you can play soccer.
Why You Need to Think Twice About Playing
Even if your legs and feet are in perfect condition, playing soccer with a broken wrist is not just about whether you can kick the ball.
Soccer is a full-body sport, and your arms, even your injured one, play a surprisingly significant role.
Here are things to consider:
Balance and Stability
Ever notice how much you use your arms for balance?
If you’re running, quickly change direction, or jump to head the ball, your arms naturally swing to help stabilize your body.
If one wrist is immobilized in a cast or brace, you’re going to feel a bit off-kilter. And that feeling could impact your performance and maybe even leave you vulnerable to further injury.
Physical Contact
Soccer is not as brutal as rugby, but it is definitely not a no-contact sport either.
Just imagine the tussle for a position at a corner kick and how somebody shoves or accidentally pulls at your injured arm.
Even a slight knock may send shooting pains through your body or worse, damage your wrist further.
Goalkeepers Should Beware
If you’re a goalkeeper, it’s almost a non-starter to play with a broken wrist.
Your hands and wrists are your major tools for catching, blocking, and punching the ball. A compromised wrist will significantly limit your effectiveness and put you at a high risk of aggravating the injury.
SEE ALSO | Do You Need Shin Guards for Indoor Soccer?
What Does Your Doctor Say?
For that, you should always consult with your physician or orthotist professional before making any decision.
They will consider your particular condition and give you specific advice.
Sometimes, they may allow you to play, provided necessary precautions are taken. Sometimes, they will ask you to stay away from such activities.
Here are some of the essential questions you may want to ask your physician:
- How stable is the fracture?
- What is the possibility of re-injury?
- What preventive measures can I use?
- What are the signs and symptoms that mean I must stop playing immediately?
Protective Equipment Should Be Your Best Friend
If your doctor says you can play, you’ll need to take a few precautions. Sometimes protective equipment will let you participate in the game and lower your risk of further injury.
Custom-Fitted Casts or Braces
Many athletes wear custom-molded casts or braces that provide protection yet allow some mobility. These are frequently padded to reduce the risk of causing injury to yourself or others in play.
Arm Sleeves or Padding
An arm sleeve with extra padding can provide an additional layer of protection. This is particularly helpful if your sport’s governing body requires soft padding to help prevent injuries to other players.
Fingers Taped Together
If your break affects the bones near your hand, taping fingers together can provide extra stability with minimal hindrance to your activities.
SEE ALSO | Can You Play Soccer While on Your Period?
Managing Pain and Discomfort
Let’s not beat around the bush, soccer is not going to feel all that fantastic with a broken wrist. It’s part of the deal in terms of pain and discomfort.
At the same time, you must never “play through the pain” if it feels unbearable or sharp. Here are some tips for managing discomfort:
- Use Pain Relief as Directed: Over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen can help manage pain and inflammation, but always check first with your doctor.
- Ice After Play: Ice applied to your wrist after a game or practice can help reduce swelling and keep the pain manageable.
- Listen to Your Body: If your wrist starts throbbing or feels unstable, it’s time to step off the field.
Alternative Ways to Stay Involved
If playing is not in the cards right now, that doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected to the game you love.
Consider these options:
Focus on Conditioning
Use this time to get in shape.
Focus on running, core strengthening, or leg exercises that don’t require use of your wrist. When you get the green light to go, you’ll be in better shape than ever.
Assist Your Coach
Offer to help your coach with strategy, drills, or team organization. Your insights as a player can be really helpful.
Work on Your Soccer IQ
Watch games, and analyze strategies. Study players and their different styles. These mental workouts will help you when you go back onto the field.
Returning to Play: What You Need to Know
Once your wrist has healed, it’s natural to want to jump back into soccer as quickly as possible. However, you’ll need to ease your way back to avoid re-injury.
Rehab First
Physical therapy is often a critical part of recovery. Strengthening your wrist and restoring full range of motion will make a huge difference in your performance and safety.
Gradual Reintroduction
Gradually work your way back into light practices and non-contact drills, advancing to full games.
This will help you regain your confidence and understand how well your wrist can tolerate stressors.
Watch Yourself
Even once you are cleared to return to play, pay close attention to your symptoms. If pain or swelling develops, back off and check in with your doctor.
SEE ALSO | Can You Play Soccer with a Cold?
The Mental Game
Injuries take more than just your body’s toll; they screw with your head, too.
You can feel frustrated, anxious, or even scared to get on the field. It is totally normal to talk it over with teammates, a coach, or sports psychologist as you figure this out.
Your mental game has to be strong in coming back as much as the physical. Now it is time for recovery.
Patience is key. A broken wrist normally takes 6-8 weeks to heal, but every case is different.
Follow your doctor’s advice, attend all follow-up appointments, and stick to your rehabilitation plan. Once your wrist has healed, gradually ease back into soccer to rebuild confidence and avoid setbacks.
Final Thoughts
Can you play soccer with a broken wrist? It depends on everything: how bad the injury is, what your doctor says, and how you feel about it personally.
Your long-term health should always come first, no matter how tempting it may be to suit up and tough it out.
