Examples of injuries for which local anaesthetic should only be used in professional football, with extra caution, when the rewards are very high (as risks are also high)
| Injury | Notes |
|---|---|
| Ankle sprains | MRI scan is indicated to assess the state of articular cartilage, and injection (even extra-articular) is best avoided if there is any significant articular damage |
| Tendon injuries | Tendon ruptures are likely when a local block is performed to relieve pain arising from the tendon. In certain circumstances (particularly tendons with many agonists) this risk may be acceptable |
| Prepatellar and olecranon bursa | Infection is a likely complication of injection of these bursae. In the case of prepatellar bursa (or any other extra-articular knee injury), documentation should be made, perhaps with a witness, to specifically note that the injection was extra-articular, in case the player suffers a serious knee injury during the game |
| First metacarpal and radiocarpal injuries | The thumb and wrist are more critical hand structures and degenerative conditions should not be accepted lightly in these regions. Scaphoid fractures should always be excluded as this is a common missed diagnosis that on occasion cannot be cured surgically |