Football, or Soccer as we say in America, is the world’s most popular sport. The game, which originated as a folk custom in eleventh century England, has evolved steadily and now transforms the entire globe into a battle for bragging rights every four years during the venerable World Cup Tournament.
Legend has it (and from a few football historians) that between 1018 and 1042 after the Danish invasion of England, workers discovered the head of a Danish soldier to which they began to ‘kick’ around. Thus, the game of ‘Kick the Dane’s head’ was started and later on, the ‘head’ was substituted with an inflated cow’s bladder.
Early football games resembled riots as two opposing villages would attempt to kick the ball into the center of the rival village. A picture of rugby without the use of hands comes to mind with mobs of villagers pushing the ball through. The game became more refined in the twelfth century and was played on vacant lots where rules were eventually drawn up.
Orthopedic medicine deals specifically with treating the musculoskeletal system to ensure that a body’s joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and bones are functioning correctly so a person can enjoy regular movement. Injuries that occur in competitive athletes or active individuals are among the most common reasons for needing orthopedic care.
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