This book offers a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on the health problems and injuries associated with football and their clinical management. After an opening section on technical aspects and fundamental principles, all areas of football traumatology are addressed. The coverage includes muscle, tendon, and stress injuries of the lower limbs and injuries to the ankle and foot, knee, hip and groin, spine and head, and upper limbs. An individual section is also devoted to the most significant heart and other health conditions that may be encountered in players of all ages and standards. Follow-up, rehabilitation, and return to activity are discussed, and the role of performance enhancement strategies is carefully examined, with description of nutritional guidelines and the evidence on use of dietary supplements. A concluding section highlights the potential of the next generation of biologics to improve the regeneration and biofunctionality of damaged tissues. This book is written by world-renowned experts and has been produced in cooperation with ISAKOS. It will serve as a reference in the field of orthopaedics.

João Espregueira-Mendes, MD, PhD, has been Professor of Orthopaedic Traumatology and Chairman of the Orthopaedic Department at Minho University, Portugal, since 2005. In addition, he is Director of Saúde Atlântica and Clínica Espregueira-Mendes, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, FC Porto Dragão Stadium, Porto, Portugal. His further posts include Senior Researcher in Biomaterials, Biodegradables, and Biomimetics in the Department of Polymer Engineering at Minho University Dr. Espregueira-Mendes is current President of the European Society of Knee Surgery, Sports Trauma and Arthroscopy (ESSKA) and also President of the Education Committee and Executive Board Member of ISAKOS. He is a member of the editorial board of Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy.