Types, treatments, prevention and more

Different sports injuries produce different symptoms and complications. The most common types of sports injuries include:

• Sprains. Excessive stretching or tearing of ligaments results in sprain. Ligaments are pieces of tissue that connect two bones together in a joint.
• Strains. Excessive stretching or tearing of muscles or tendons results in sprain. Tendons are thick, fibrous cords of tissue that connect bones to muscles. Strains are often confused with sprains. Here’s how to tell them apart.
• Knee injuries. Any injury that interferes with the movement of the knee joint could be a sports injury. This can range from overstretching to tearing the muscles or tissues of the knee.
• Swollen muscles. Swelling is a natural reaction to injury. Swollen muscles can also be painful and weak.
• Achilles tendon rupture. The Achilles tendon is a thin, strong tendon located at the back of your ankle. During sports, this tendon can break or rupture. When this happens, you may feel sudden, severe pain and difficulty walking.
• Fractures. Bone fractures are also known as broken bones.
• Dislocations. Sports injuries can dislocate a bone in your body. When this happens, a bone is pushed out of its socket. This can be painful and lead to swelling and weakness.
• Rotator cuff injury. Four pieces of muscle work together to form the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff allows your shoulder to move in all directions. A tear in one of these muscles can weaken the rotator cuff.

The RICE method is a common treatment regimen for sports injuries. This means:

• rest
• ice
• compression
• elevation

This treatment method is useful for mild sports injuries. For best results, follow the RICE method within 24 to 36 hours of the injury. It can help reduce swelling and prevent additional pain and bruising in the first few days following a sports injury. Here’s how to follow RICE, along with a recovery timeline.

Over-the-counter and prescription medications are available to treat sports injuries. Most of them relieve pain and swelling.

If your sports injury seems serious, make an appointment with your doctor. Seek emergency care if the injured joint shows signs of:

• severe swelling and pain
• visible dents, dings or other deformations
• popping or crackling sounds when you use the joint
• weakness or inability to put weight on the joint
• instability

Also seek emergency care if you experience any of the following symptoms after an injury:

Serious sports injuries may require surgery and physical therapy. If the injury does not heal within two weeks, contact your doctor to make an appointment.

The best way to prevent a sports injury is to warm up properly and stretchable. Cold muscles are prone to overstretching and tearing. Warm muscles are more flexible. They can absorb quick movements, bends and jerks, making injury less likely.

Also follow these steps to avoid sports injuries:

Use the correct technique

Learn the correct way to move during your sport or activity. Different types of exercises require different positions and postures. For example, in some sports, bending your knees at the right time can help avoid a spinal or hip injury.

Have the right equipment

Wear the right shoes. Make sure you have appropriate sports protection. Ill-fitting shoes or equipment can increase your risk of injury.

Don’t overdo it

If you injure yourself, make sure you are healed before resuming the activity. Don’t try to “get over” the pain.

When you come back from letting your body recover, you may need to return to exercise or sport rather than returning to it at the same intensity.

Cool

Remember to freshen up after your activity. Usually this involves doing the same stretches and exercises as a warm-up.

Resume activity slowly

Don’t be tempted to nurse your injury for too long. Excessive rest can delay healing. After the initial 48 hour period of RICE, you can begin using warmth to help you relax tense muscles. Take it slow and start exercising or playing the sport of your choice again.

Sports injuries are common among young adults and children. More … than 3.5 million children and adolescents are injured each year during organized sports or physical activity, estimates Stanford Children’s Health. A third of all childhood injuries are also sports-related.

The most common sports injuries among children are sprains and strains. Contact sports, such as football and basketball, are responsible for more injuries than non-contact sports, such as swimming and running.

A 2016 study found that 8.6 million people ages 5 to 24 suffer a sports injury each year in the United States. Researchers note that men aged 5 to 24 account for more than half of all sports injury episodes.

The lower body is most likely to be injured (42 percent). The upper extremities account for 30.3 percent of injuries. Head and neck injuries account for 16.4 percent of sports injuries.

Deaths from sports injuries are rare. When they occur, they are probably the result of head injury.

Anyone can find themselves dealing with a sports injury, regardless of the last time they took to the baseball field or faced a linebacker on the field. But certain factors put you or a loved one at increased risk of injury.

Childhood

Due to their active nature, children are at particular risk for sports injuries. Children often do not know their physical limits. This means they can get injured more easily than adults or teenagers.

Age

The older you get, the more likely you are to suffer an injury. Age also increases the risk of persistent sports injuries. New injuries can make these previous injuries worse.

Lack of care

Sometimes serious injuries start as minor injuries. Many overuse injuries, such as tendonitis and stress fractures, can be recognized early by a doctor. If left untreated or ignored, they can progress to a serious injury.

To be overweight

Carrying extra weight can put unnecessary strain on your joints, especially your hips, knees and ankles. The pressure is amplified by exercise or sport. This increases your risk of sports injury.

Children or adults who are considering starting sports may benefit from a prior physical examination by a doctor.

Many sports injuries cause immediate pain or discomfort. Others, like overuse injuries, may only be noticed after long-term damage. These injuries are often diagnosed during physical exams or routine check-ups.

If you think you have a sports injury, your doctor will likely take the following steps to get a diagnosis. These include:

• Physical examination. Your doctor may try to move the injured joint or body part. This helps them see how the area is moving, or how it is not moving if that is the case.
• Medical background. This involves asking yourself questions about how you were injured, what you were doing, what you have done since the injury, and more. If this is your first time seeing this doctor, he or she may also ask for a more in-depth medical history.
• Imaging tests. X-rays, MRI, CT scans, and ultrasounds can all help your doctor and healthcare providers see inside your body. This helps them confirm a sports injury diagnosis.

If your doctor suspects that you have a sprain or strain, he or she may recommend that you follow the RICE method.

Follow these recommendations and keep an eye on your symptoms. If they get worse, it could mean you have a more serious sports injury.

Call your doctor if there are signs of swelling or if it hurts to put weight on the affected area. If the problem is at the site of a previous injury, seek medical attention immediately.

Contact a healthcare professional if you do not see improvement after 24 to 36 hours of RICE.

Because a child’s skeleton is not fully developed, the bones are weaker than those of an adult. Take extra precautions in the event of a child’s sports injuries. What looks like tissue damage may actually be a more serious fracture.

Don’t ignore your symptoms. Remember, the sooner you get diagnosed and treated, the sooner you will recover and get back in the game.