Common Sports Injuries, Prevention, & Treatment

Sports injuries occur during athletic activities and exercises. These injuries occur in both teenagers or kids and adults as long as involved in any sports activity. The various or commonest sports injuries include;

Groin Pull
Ankle Sprain
Shin Splints
ACL Tear (Knee Injury)
Tennis Elbow (epicondylitis)
Hamstring Strain
Knee Injury

Generally, sports injuries are divided into two categories;

Traumatic Injuries
Soft Tissue Injuries

Though rare, brain injuries are also involved in sports and it’s a major cause of death among the athletes. Sports injuries may range from simple to major exerting various symptoms such as stiffness, bleeding, numbness, and tingling. Mainly, the vascular and nervous systems are the major victims of sports injuries

Whereas these are major concerns in the athletic sphere, physical and emotional stress associated with their performance and demands can cause stress, anxiety, and depression.

Sprains & Strains

Sprains are injuries that occur to the ligament (the tough bands that connect bones in a joint). Strains or Pulled muscles are injuries that occur in the muscle fibers and tendons, which connect muscles to bones.

Prevention of Sprains & Strains

Maintain a healthy body weight
Always have a balanced diet
Avoid training when tired
Warm-up and stretch before exercising

Sprains & Strains Treatment

Focusing on the location of the injury is the first approach to treating sprains and strains. You may experience tenderness and pain. Visit a physical therapist or an orthopaedic doctor to recommend the right exercises as you get better. An X-ray may be necessary and medications to control pain

2. Groin Pull

It is a common injury in footballers, hockey, and baseball players described as a tear to the adductor muscles of the thigh.

Prevention of a Groin Pull

Warm-up before engaging in the actual practice
Keep up your fitness by going to the gym
Exercise regularly
Increase exercise levels gradually
Take a lot of water

Groin Pull Treatment

Immediate treatment includes rest, using ice compressions and see a doctor as soon as you can

3. Shin Splints

A Shin Splint refers to an injury to the tibia. Specifically, they are microtears that occur in the bone and muscle

Prevention of Shin Splints

Toe Raises
Consider soft playing grounds or running surfaces
Get enough rest
Increase your exercising energy gradually
Use fitting shoes

Shin Splints Treatment

Rest, use ice compressions, over-the-counter drugs, and in case worsens, see a doctor

4. ACL Tear

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries are common injuries among players that occur in the knees. Partial or complete tears are possible

Prevention of ACL Tears

Stretch before exercising
Wear a knee brace during risky games
Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes
Limit twisting levels during the games
Avoid motions that may exert much stress on the knee

Treatment of ACL Tears

ACL injury treatment varies from one individual to another, mainly depending on the extent of the damage. Surgery may be considered in the case of extensive damage, whereas non-surgical treatments like bracing and physical therapy can be considered

5. Hamstring Strain

The hamstring is formed by three muscles in the back of the thigh. These injuries may re-occur since it may be difficult for an individual to take enough rest from the sports activities

Prevention of Hamstring Injuries

Get enough warm-up
Keep up the training programs
Increase exercises gradually
Rest in case of tenderness or tightness
Maintain a balanced diet

Treatment of Hamstring Injuries

Treatments depend on the severity of the tear, and RICE is the immediate treatment while surgical approaches can take course at last

6. Tennis Elbow (epicondylitis)

Occurs due to repetitive stress or over-use of the arm. It commonly occurs in tennis players, though even other athletes are at risk

Prevention of Tennis Elbow

Stretch your arm muscles before sports
Warm-up before exercises
Maintain a proper weight

Treatment of Tennis Elbow

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, rest, physical therapy, braces, and injections can treat epicondylitis. Surgical approaches such as an arthroscopic surgery can also treat it.

7. Knee Injury

Knee injuries can also occur accidentally in normal life. They result in pain, stiffness, and numbness. Injuries include fractures, dislocation, ACL, PCL, and Meniscal Tears.

Prevention