Injuries are part and parcel of life as a professional footballer with setbacks sidelining players for short or significantly long periods of time.
From short-term knocks and niggles to significantly longer-term ACL injuries and broken bones, it's uncommon for a player to go through their career without suffering at least one or two mid-to-long-term layoffs.
We take a look at the most common problems that can arise on matchdays or during training sessions and provide an estimated time frame of how long the player can expect to sit on the sidelines.
Sprained ankle recovery time
Recovery times for a sprained ankle can vary dependent upon the grade of sprain the player has suffered.
Mild sprains (Grade 1) typically take between two and three weeks to heal, whilst more serious sprains (Grades 2 and 3) can take between six and 12 weeks.
Hamstring strain recovery time
Like all other football-related injuries, the layoff period for a player who suffers a hamstring strain is dependent upon the severity of it.
A minor Grade 1 strain usually fixes itself in between three and five days, although more serious tears (Grades 2 and 3), which can carry the potential of surgery, require between six and 12 weeks of rest.
Groin strain recovery time
Generally, groin strains need between one and three weeks of recovery time, although more serious strains can take between four and six weeks.
The most severe groin injuries, including a full tear, can rule a player out of action for around three to four months.
Calf strain recovery time
Footballers who suffer typical mild calf strains can expect to sit on the sidelines for around two to four weeks, whilst more serious strains are likely to result in an absence of between four and eight weeks.
Thigh strain recovery time
The minimum time a player can expect to be out of action whilst nursing a thigh strain is around 10 days.
The majority of thigh issues result in layoffs between 10 days and three weeks, although in rare cases, an extended period of rest (up to three or four months) can be required.
Achilles tendinitis recovery time
Recovery times for Achilles tendinitis injuries vary significantly with minor cases resulting in a two to four week layoff, whilst more chronic cases can take between three and six months!
Anterior crucial ligament (ACL) injury recovery time
An ACL injury is largely considered one of the most serious problems a professional footballer can suffer, with surgery and months of rehabilitation needed to overcome the problem.
Full reconstruction surgery typically culminates in a six to 12 month layoff, whilst less severe issues, where surgery is not required, can take around four weeks to recover from.
Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury recovery time
MCL injury recovery times vary dependent upon the severity of the issue.
Mild strains require 10 to 21 days of recovery time, with moderate cases resulting in an extended six week plus absence. If surgery is required however, then players can be ruled out of action for up to four months.
Concussion recovery time
Premier League rules stipulate that any player who has suffered concussion has to serve a 12-day concussion protocol, meaning they are not allowed to participate in training or matches during that time.
Most people recover from concussion in a couple of days, but guidelines have been put into place in competitive football to aid player safety.
For a 12-day protocol to apply, players must be symptom-free and have received approval from an independent consultant.
Dislocated shoulder recovery time
A dislocated shoulder injury carries an expected minimum recovery period of six weeks, although given football is a contact sport, it's not unusual for medical teams to air on the side of caution and keep a player on the sidelines for a longer period of time to help lower the threat of reoccurrence.
Stress fracture recovery time
In most cases, a stress fracture takes around six to eight weeks to fully heal, although an additional two to three week period of rehabilitation - especially for professionals who play contact sports - is required.
Broken leg recovery time
Surprisingly, footballers can make a full recovery from a broken leg in as little as six weeks, although a two to three month layoff is far more typical.
Recovery times from broken legs are largely determined by the severity and positioning of the break, with surgery sometimes required if the bone is displaced.
