How to Prevent and Treat the Seven Most Common Sports Injuries

Posted by smithaaron on December 20th, 2016

Today’s mostly sedentary lifestyle does not leave much time for recreation or for working out. As a result, most people opt for exercising or playing sports only in the weekends. Though a good idea overall, it does tend to leave us open to common sports injuries. Some of the most common of these injuries may include:

Ankle sprain
Hamstring strain
Shin splints
Knee injury
ACL Tear
Groin pull
Tennis elbow
As you can notice, such injuries are mostly strains and sprains. A sprain is an injury of the ligaments that connect the bones in joints. The sudden stretching of ligaments beyond their normal limit can tear them. Strains, on the other hand, are injuries sustained by the tendons.

Prevention of Common Sports Injuries

A lot of sports injuries happen because we overestimate our bodies. A lot of times, people push themselves too hard, despite the fact that their bodies are not conditioned for the strain. Such injuries can be easily prevented. Every workout or sport should begin with a gentle session for warming up. Light warm up activities can help increase your blood flow and flexibility and thereby help prevent a number of injuries. Considering how rigorous sports are these days, sports physiotherapy can play a key role in conditioning your body. If you haven’t been running for a while, don’t start off with a 10 mile run. Learn to recognize the signs of muscle fatigue and when you should stop.

Treatment of Sports Injuries

Preventing sports injuries is never fully in your control, after all, life happens. Generally, sports injuries are minor and can be treated with a little rest and some sports physiotherapy. Then there are some injuries that are a little more severe and may take months even with continuous sports injury treatment. But if you tear a muscle, ligament, or tendon, you might need corrective surgery.

Ankle sprain

If you have sprained your ankle, remember to exercise it so that you don’t lose strength or flexibility. Consult a doctor to know about what type of sports injury treatment you require.

Hamstring strain

Hamstrings have constant stress placed on them when we walk, causing the hamstrings to heal slower than most injuries. Re-injuries are very common and healing may take months. Inactivity is the best treatment for hamstrings.

Shin splints

Incessant running, without proper warm up can lead to pain in the shins. The best way to treat it is with rest, ice packs, and pain medicines. If the pain persists despite resting, it could be a fracture and a doctor should be immediately consulted.

Patellofemoral syndrome

This is a kind of knee injury that affects the tissue under the kneecap. Working out the quadriceps can help relieve the pain. This injury may take 1 to 2 months to clear up completely, just make sure you continue with some low impact exercises.

ACL Tear

An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear is the most severe of these common sports injuries. It can be caused by any sudden jerk movement of the foot. If you suspect an ACL tear, you must visit a doctor immediately, as a complete tear will require surgery.

Groin pull

A strain caused in the inner thigh (groin) can be treated with rest, ice, and compression. Do not go back to full physical activities before you are completely healed, or the problem might become long-term. If you notice significant swelling, visit your doctor.

Tennis elbow

Tiny tears in the elbow’s tendons can be caused by certain sports (like tennis). The treatment for tennis elbow usually only needs staying off the courts till the pain improves.

You might be tough, but you also need to be smart. With sports injuries, it is always better to consult a doctor if you are not sure about the treatment. Your body will support your fitness regime only if you take care of it.