Sports Injuries

“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:

• Sprains And Strains
• Knee Injuries
• Achilles Tendon Injuries
• Shin Splints
• Fractures
• Dislocations

Signs of an acute injury include:

• Sudden, Severe Pain
• Swelling
• 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.

How are sports injuries treated?

Call a doctor when:

• The Injury Causes Severe Pain, Swelling, Or Numbness
• You Can’t Put Any Weight On The Area
• An Old Injury Hurts Or Aches
• An Old Injury Swells
• 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.

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.

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.
• Don’t overdo it.
• 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.
• Run on flat surfaces.

For parents and coaches:

• 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.