Common Field Hockey Injuries Field hockey is one of the world’s oldest sports. Predominately played by women in the United States, field hockey requires the individual to have skill, speed and endurance. Traditionally played on wet grass, the playing field has evolved into synthetic, faced paced turf surfaces that can lead to chronic lower leg injuries such as shin splints. Field hockey is one of the few sports that still allow athletes to play with a stick and ball composed of a solid material. As a result of the makeup of the equipment, the chances of blunt trauma such as fractures and contusion increases. Field hockey is a sport that is played at ground level, so improper mechanics can cause injuries to the lower back. Head Concussion Knee Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear Medial Collateral Ligament Sprain (MCL) Lower Leg Exertional Compartment Syndrome Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (aka “shin splints”) Stress Fractures of the Tibia Ankle Lateral Ankle Sprains High Ankle Sprains – Syndesmosis Sprains
