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“Sports injuries” are injuries that happen when playing sports or exercising. Some are from accidents. Others can result from poor training practices or improper gear. Some people get injured when they are not in proper condition. Not warming up or stretching enough before you play or exercise can also lead to injuries. The most common sports injuries are:
What’s the Difference Between an Acute and a Chronic Injury?
There are two kinds of sports injuries: acute and chronic. Acute injuries occur suddenly when playing or exercising. Sprained ankles, strained backs, and fractured hands are acute injuries.
Signs of an acute injury include:
Not Being Able To Place Weight On A Leg, Knee, Ankle, Or Foot
An Arm, Elbow, Wrist, Hand, Or Finger That Is Very Tender
Not Being Able To Move A Joint As Normal
Extreme Leg Or Arm Weakness
A Bone Or Joint That Is Visibly Out Of Place.
Chronic injuries happen after you play a sport or exercise for a long time. Signs of a chronic injury include:
A Dull Ache When You Rest
How are sports injuries treated?
The Injury Causes Severe Pain, Swelling, Or Numbness
You Can’t Put Any Weight On The Area
An Old Injury Hurts Or Aches
The Joint Doesn’t Feel Normal Or Feels Unstable.
If You Don’t Have Any Of These Signs, It May Be Safe To Treat The Injury At Home. If The Pain Or Other Symptoms Get Worse, You Should Call Your Doctor. Use The RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, And Elevation) Method To Relieve Pain, Reduce Swelling, And Speed Healing. Follow These Four Steps Right After The Injury Occurs And Do So For At Least 48 Hours.
Here are some other things your doctor may do to treat your sports injury.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Your doctor will suggest that you take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen sodium. These drugs reduce swelling and pain. You can buy them at a drug store. Another common drug is acetaminophen. It may relieve pain, but it will not reduce swelling.
Immobilization is a common treatment for sports injuries. It keeps the injured area from moving and prevents more damage. Slings, splints, casts, and leg immobilizers are used to immobilize sports injuries.
In some cases, surgery is needed to fix sports injuries. Surgery can fix torn tendons and ligaments or put broken bones back in place. Most sports injuries don’t need surgery.
Physical Therapy Rehabilitation (Exercise):
Rehabilitation is a key part of treatment. It involves exercises that step by step get the injured area back to normal. Moving the injured area helps it to heal. The sooner this is done, the better. Exercises start by gently moving the injured body part through a range of motions. The next step is to stretch. After a while, weights may be used to strengthen the injured area.
As injury heals, scar tissue forms. After a while, the scar tissue shrinks. This shrinking brings the injured tissues back together. When this happens, the injured area becomes tight or stiff. This is when you are at greatest risk of injuring the area again. You should stretch the muscles every day. You should always stretch as a warmup before you play or exercise.
Don’t play your sport until you are sure you can stretch the injured area without pain, swelling, or stiffness. When you start playing again, start slowly. Build up step by step to full speed.
Although it is good to start moving the injured area as soon as possible, you must also take time to rest after an injury. All injuries need time to heal; proper rest helps the process. Your doctor can guide you on the proper balance between rest and rehabilitation.
Other common therapies that help with the healing process include mild electrical currents (electrostimulation), cold packs (cryotherapy), heat packs (thermotherapy), sound waves (ultrasound), and massage.
What Can People Do to Prevent Sports Injuries?
Don’t bend your knees more than half way when doing knee bends.
Don’t twist your knees when you stretch. Keep your feet as flat as you can.
When jumping, land with your knees bent.
Do warmup exercises before you play any sport.
Always stretch before you play or exercise.
Cool down after hard sports or workouts.
Wear shoes that fit properly, are stable, and absorb shock.
Use the softest exercise surface you can find; don’t run on asphalt or concrete.
Don’t be a “weekend warrior.” Don’t try to do a week’s worth of activity in a day or two.
Learn to do your sport right. Use proper form to reduce your risk of “overuse” injuries.
Build up your exercise level gradually.
Strive for a total body workout of cardiovascular, strength-training, and flexibility exercises.
Group children by their skill level and body size, not by their age, especially for contact sports.
Match the child to the sport. Don’t push the child too hard to play a sport that she or he may not like or be able to do.
Try to find sports programs that have certified athletic trainers.
See that all children get a physical exam before playing.
Don’t play a child who is injured.
Get the child to a doctor, if needed.
Provide a safe environment for sports.
Be in proper condition to play the sport.
Get a physical exam before you start playing sports.
Follow the rules of the game.
Wear gear that protects, fits well, and is right for the sport.
Know how to use athletic gear.
Don’t play when you are very tired or in pain.
Always warm up before you play.
Always cool down after you play.
