Sports Injuries
It is always possible to injure yourself while exercising or playing sports. While these activities are good for you, it is best to be informed about the different form of accidents or poor training practices that can cause harm to your body. Even improper gear usage can cause injuries. While some acquire injuries because they are not in shape, injuries can also occur for much simpler reasons. These reasons can include not warming up before working out. Another reason is not stretching enough before exercising. The most common injuries that occur while exercising include the following: sprains and strains, knee injuries, swollen muscles, Achilles tendon injuries, rotator cuff injuries, fractures, and dislocations. If you have experienced a sports injury, visit one of our urgent care locations, or you can call us to schedule your appointment: 858-554-1212
Continuing to play or exercise after you have received an injury can cause even more harm to the already existing injury. The most common form of treatment is the process of “RICE”. This stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This method relieves pain and reduces swelling. In addition to that, it also speeds up the healing process. Additional treatments to this method include pain relievers, keeping the area injured stationary, rehabilitation, and in some cases, surgery.
Sports and activities which involve an extensive amount of running are the most common to cause injuries. Sports and activities of this nature include the following: soccer, basketball, track and field, cross country running, and others. Soccer especially results in various injuries because of the quick direction changes necessary to complete certain plays in the game. A common soccer injury is the tearing or spraining of a ligament. Quick direction changes can cause these issues in the knee specifically. Other activities which cause the player to change directions quickly have the same effect. You should consult with a doctor if you experience this injury as you will be in a great deal of pain. Home treatment is typically not a sufficient form of treatment for these injuries. Always remember that it is best to stop playing should you experience a sports injury. Consult with your health care provider as soon as possible, and follow the advice in our blog post about sports injuries.
Keep in mind the RICE method. It is best to keep rest the area injured and also make sure your entire body gets plenty of rest. Ice the injured area. After you apply ice to the area, utilize compression to help feel relief from any pain. It is then best to elevate the injured area in the time waiting to see your doctor.
Here are the 5 most common sports injuries:
- Shin Splints
A shin splint refers to the pain that occurs along the shin bone. While the pain largely afflicts the front outer part of the lower leg, it can also affect the foot and ankle. This kind of injury is common with runners, especially those who run on hard surfaces. Shin splints can be attributed to poor running techniques, failing to stretch, running in shoes with improper support, as well as having flat feet.
- Knee Injuries
There are mild knee injuries and severe knee injuries. Mild injuries include:
- Ilotibial band syndrome
- Runner’s knee – pain or tenderness around the knee cap
- Tendonitis – Inflammation in a tendon
On the other hand, severe knee injuries largely encompass bruising or damage to the ligaments or cartilage. The four main knee ligaments that are prone to injury are:
- The Medical Collateral Ligament – MCL
- Posterior Cruciate Ligament – PCL
- The Lateral Collateral Ligament – LCL
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament – ACL
- Dislocations
Dislocations, or luxation, occur when a bone-joint is forcefully pushed out of alignment. They are common in contact sports, like football. A dislocation normally calls for emergency medical treatment. It is usually possible to refit the dislocated bone back in place. The fingers and hand joints are the most prone to this kind of injury, whereas knees, elbows, and hips are less prone even though they can also be dislocated.
- Fractures
Widely known as a broken bone, this kind of sport injury is normally classified as an emergency. It can be a one-time harm to the bone, referred to as an acute fracture, or a recurrent stress on a bone, referred to as stress fracture. An acute fracture may involve minor cracks or a complete bone breakage. On the other hand, stress fractures largely occur in the feet or legs from sporting activities that involve repetitive impact, like jumping or running. Some fractures can be so severe, that a surgery may be needed to effectively repair them.
- Strains and Sprains
These are perhaps the most prevalent kind of sports injury. They can occur in virtually any kind of sporting activity. Sprains are attributed to the tearing or over-stretching of a ligament. This can be a minor tear or a full tear, which involves severing of the ligament. Wrists, knees, and ankles are the most prone to sprains.
On the other hand, strains are caused by over-stretching or tearing of the tendon or muscle fibers, and can range from minor to severe.