Playing a sport is a great way to stay active and ensure you get enough exercise. However, it can also lead to sports injuries. Discover the most common sports injuries, as well as how to treat and prevent them.
Most Common Sports Injuries
The following are the most common sports injuries, along with a brief description of each.
- Back Injuries: Although less common than others on this list, back injuries are still fairly common.
- Concussions: This is a traumatic brain injury resulting from a strong blow to the head and affects coordination, balance, and memory.
- Dislocations: This occurs if a joint gets forced from its normal position. The result is that the joint becomes immobilized.
- Fractures: This is when your bone cracks partially or entirely. It is most common after a fall.
- Groin Pulls: A grain pull is another name for a strain in the groin. This is a prevalent type of injury that occurs when the thigh muscles have taken too much pressure.
- Knee Injuries: Knees are among the most commonly injured parts of the body during sports. Issues can include sprains, strains, and more.
- Shin Splints: This term refers to pain in your shin bone, typically from inflammation.
- Strains: This injury occurs when a tendon or muscle stretches or tears.
- Sprains: This occurs when the ligaments tear or stretch. These can be mild or severe.
- Tennis Elbow: Tennis elbow is not restricted to playing tennis. It is the result of repetitive motion that leads to strain in your forearm from overuse.
Of all of the above, sprains and strains are the most common.
How to Prevent Sports Injuries
Now that you are familiar with sports injuries take a moment to learn about sports injury prevention. While you can treat an injury, it is best to prevent them from occurring in the first place. The following tips can help avoid the need for sports injuries treatment.
Always Warm Up and Cool Down
A crucial tip for sports injury prevention is always warm-up before playing a sport and cool down after. This helps your muscles prepare and recover.
When stretching, remember that stretches should never be painful.
Drink Lots of Water
You can also reduce the risk of sports injuries by staying hydrated. At the very least, this helps prevent heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and dehydration.
Learn and Follow the Right Techniques
Take the time to learn the right techniques and then follow them. Playing sports without proper form increases your risk of injury.
Invest in the Right Gear
No matter the sport you play, make sure you have the proper gear to do so, including sports. Protective gear is there to prevent injuries. Your shoes give you support and to avoid foot issues.
Have a Well-Rounded Fitness Plan
Creating a well-rounded fitness plan will reduce your risk of injury. That is because it encourages every part of your body to remain healthy.
Give Muscle Groups a Break
While your fitness plan should be well-rounded, you should make sure to avoid exercising the same muscle group too hard two days in a row. Your muscles need a day of rest.
In Pain? Don’t Play
Finally, never play your sport when you are already in pain. You can make the issue worse or injure another part of your body by overcompensating.
Best Treatment – Sports Injury Treatment Options
Depending on the severity of your injury, you may be able to handle sports injury management yourself at home. Sometimes, however, you need to consult a doctor or specialist.
R.I.C.E.
You should follow R.I.C.E., the most versatile at-home sports injuries treatment, in the first hours after your injury. It stands for:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compress
- Elevate
Medicine
You can take over-the-counter pain medicine to help with the pain associated with various types of sports injuries. Your doctor may prescribe more potent painkillers in the case of more severe injuries.
Physiotherapy
Depending on the injury, you may also need physiotherapy. This will typically involve an appropriate exercise program to help you heal.
Immobilization
Your doctor may suggest immobilization as part of your sports injuries treatment, but not always. Short-term immobilization can reduce swelling, muscle spasms, and pains. Keeping the injury immobilized too long can prevent healing, however.
Know When to See a Doctor
Be on the lookout for warning signs that you need professional sports injury treatment and rehabilitation. You should see a doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Severe pain
- Severe swelling
- Crunching or popping noises when moving the injury
- Visible deformities
- Joint instability
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Trouble breathing
- Inability to put weight on the injured area
You will also want to see your doctor for sports injuries treatment if your injury doesn’t heal with at-home care. You should visit the doctor if you still have visible bruising or swelling a month after the injury. To schedule an appointment with Comprehensive Healthcare Group, call our Oceanside, NY office at 516.764.7760 or our Valley Stream, NY office at 516.593.7990.
