Playing sport is essential as it provides many health benefits. However, sometimes, you may face an injury while playing your favorite sport. While some of these injuries are common, some can be very severe with career-threatening risks.

The causes of sports injuries vary. They can occur due to accidents, improper use of the technique, damaged equipment, etc. An injury can also happen if your muscles are stressed and you start playing without stretching your muscles a bit.

5 Common Athletic Sports Injuries

Sprains

Sports like football, cricket, wrestling, etc., require the participants to use their feet throughout the game. This excessive use of feet can cause sprains and strains in the ankle.

Sprains are referred to as injuries to ligaments. When you use your feet past their capacity, it can exert too much stress on the ligaments and cause them to tear, as a result of which your muscles or tendons connected to the bones are injured. Sprains can occur in the wrists, ankles, and knees and are very painful.

A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments — the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect two bones together in your joints. The most common location for a sprain is in your ankle.

Initial treatment includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Mild sprains can be successfully treated at home. Severe sprains sometimes require surgery to repair torn ligaments.

The difference between a sprain and a strain is that a sprain injures the bands of tissue that connect two bones together, while a strain involves an injury to a muscle or to the band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone.

Symptoms

Pain Signs and symptoms will vary, depending on the severity of the injury, and may include:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Limited ability to move the affected joint
• Hearing or feeling a “pop” in your joint at the time of injury

When to see the doctor

Mild sprains can be treated at home. But the injuries that cause sprains can also cause serious injuries, such as fractures. You should see a doctor if you:

• Can’t move or bear weight on the affected joint
• Have pain directly over the bones of an injured joint
• Have numbness in any part of the injured area

Causes

A sprain occurs when you overextend or tear a ligament while severely stressing a joint. Sprains often occur in the following circumstances:

• Ankle — Walking or exercising on an uneven surface, landing awkwardly from a jump
• Knee — Pivoting during an athletic activity
• Wrist — Landing on an outstretched hand during a fall
• Thumb — Skiing injury or overextension when playing racquet sports, such as tennis

Children have areas of softer tissue, called growth plates, near the ends of their bones. The ligaments around a joint are often stronger than these growth plates, so children are more likely to experience a fracture than a sprain.

Risk factors

Factors contributing to sprains include:

• Environmental conditions. Slippery or uneven surfaces can make you more prone to injury.
• Fatigue. Tired muscles are less likely to provide good support for your joints. When you’re tired, you’re also more likely to succumb to forces that could stress a joint.
• Poor equipment. Ill-fitting or poorly maintained footwear or other sporting equipment can contribute to your risk of a sprain.

Prevention

Regular stretching and strengthening exercises for your sport, fitness, or work activity, as part of an overall physical conditioning program, can help to minimize your risk of sprains. Try to be in shape to play your sport; don’t play your sport to get in shape. If you have a physically demanding occupation, regular conditioning can help prevent injuries.

You can protect your joints in the long term by working to strengthen and condition the muscles around the joint that has been injured. The best brace you can give yourself is your own “muscle brace.” Ask your doctor about appropriate conditioning and stability exercises. Also, use footwear that offers support and protection.

Knee Injuries

More than five million people are said to visit orthopedic surgeons due to knee injuries. Your knee acts as a pivot to your leg and gives it movement. However, using it repeatedly can cause an ACL tear and injure your knee. Knee injuries include:

• Tendonitis: A type of knee injury caused by inflammation in a tendon or degeneration in the tissues.

• Runner’s Knee: This type of knee injury produces pain in the front part of the knee called the kneecap. Also called patellofemoral pain syndrome, this type of injury can make you sit on a bench for months or even years.

• Iliotibial Band Syndrome: This knee injury occurs when your iliotibial band rubs off against the front part of the kneecap. When this happens, the iliotibial band gets inflamed and causes severe pain.

Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. Knee pain may be the result of an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. Medical conditions — including arthritis, gout, and infections — also can cause knee pain.

Many types of minor knee pain respond well to self-care measures. Physical therapy and knee braces also can help relieve pain. In some cases, however, your knee may require surgical repair.

Symptoms

The location and severity of knee pain may vary, depending on the cause of the problem. Signs and symptoms that sometimes accompany knee pain include:

• Swelling and stiffness
• Redness and warmth to the touch
• Weakness or instability
• Popping or crunching noises
• Inability to fully straighten the knee

When to see a doctor

Call your doctor if you:

• Can’t bear weight on your knee or feel as if your knee is unstable or gives out
• Have marked knee swelling
• Are unable to fully extend or flex your knee
• See an obvious deformity in your leg or knee
• Have a fever, in addition to redness, pain, and swelling in your knee
• Have severe knee pain that is associated with an injury

Symptoms

The location and severity of knee pain may vary, depending on the cause of the problem. Signs and symptoms that sometimes accompany knee pain include:

• Swelling and stiffness
• Redness and warmth to the touch
• Weakness or instability
• Popping or crunching noises
• Inability to fully straighten the knee

When to see a doctor

Call your doctor if you:

• Can’t bear weight on your knee or feel as if your knee is unstable or gives out
• Have marked knee swelling
• Are unable to fully extend or flex your knee
• See an obvious deformity in your leg or knee
• Have a fever, in addition to redness, pain, and swelling in your knee
• Have severe knee pain that is associated with an injury

Causes

Knee pain can be caused by injuries, mechanical problems, types of arthritis, and other problems.

Injuries

ACL injury. An ACL injury is a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) — one of four ligaments that connect your shinbone to your thighbone. An ACL injury is particularly common in people who play basketball, soccer, or other sports that require sudden changes in direction. A knee injury can affect any of the ligaments, tendons, or fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that surround your knee joint as well as the bones, cartilage, and ligaments that form the joint itself. Some of the more common knee injuries include:

• Fractures. The bones of the knee, including the kneecap (patella), can be broken during falls or auto accidents. Also, people whose bones have been weakened by osteoporosis can sometimes sustain a knee fracture simply by stepping wrong.
• Torn meniscus. The meniscus is the tough, rubbery cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your shinbone and thighbone. It can be torn if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it.
• Knee bursitis. Some knee injuries cause inflammation in the bursae, the small sacs of fluid that cushion the outside of your knee joint so that tendons and ligaments glide smoothly over the joint.
• Patellar tendinitis. Tendinitis causes irritation and inflammation of one or more tendons — the thick, fibrous tissues that attach muscles to bones. This inflammation can happen when there’s an injury to the patellar tendon, which runs from the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone and allows you to kick, run and jump. Runners, skiers, cyclists, and those involved in jumping sports and activities may develop patellar tendinitis.

Mechanical problems

Some examples of mechanical problems that can cause knee pain include:

• Loose body. Sometimes injury or degeneration of bone or cartilage can cause a piece of bone or cartilage to break off and float in the joint space. This may not create any problems unless the loose body interferes with knee joint movement, in which case the effect is something like a pencil caught in a door hinge.
• Iliotibial band syndrome. This occurs when the tough band of tissue that extends from the outside of your hip to the outside of your knee (iliotibial band) becomes so tight that it rubs against the outer portion of your thighbone. Distance runners and cyclists are especially susceptible to iliotibial band syndrome.
• Dislocated kneecap. This occurs when the triangular bone that covers the front of your knee (patella) slips out of place, usually to the outside of your knee. In some cases, the kneecap may stay displaced and you’ll be able to see the dislocation.
• Hip or foot pain. If you have hip or foot pain, you may change the way you walk to spare your painful joint. But this altered gait can place more stress on your knee joint and cause knee pain.

Types of arthritis

More than 100 different types of arthritis exist. The varieties most likely to affect the knee include:

• Osteoarthritis. Sometimes called degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It’s a wear-and-tear condition that occurs when the cartilage in your knee deteriorates with use and age.
• Rheumatoid arthritis. The most debilitating form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that can affect almost any joint in your body, including your knees. Although rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, it tends to vary in severity and may even come and go.
• Gout. This type of arthritis occurs when uric acid crystals build up in the joint. While gout most commonly affects the big toe, it can also occur in the knee.
• Pseudogout. Often mistaken for gout, pseudogout is caused by calcium-containing crystals that develop in the joint fluid. Knees are the most common joint affected by pseudogout.
• Septic arthritis. Sometimes your knee joint can become infected, leading to swelling, pain, and redness. Septic arthritis often occurs with a fever, and there’s usually no trauma before the onset of pain. Septic arthritis can quickly cause extensive damage to the knee cartilage. If you have knee pain with any of the symptoms of septic arthritis, see your doctor right away.

Other problems

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a general term that refers to pain arising between the kneecap and the underlying thighbone. It’s common in athletes; in young adults, especially those whose kneecap doesn’t track properly in its groove; and in older adults, who usually develop the condition as a result of arthritis of the kneecap.

Risk factors

A number of factors can increase your risk of having knee problems, including:

• Excess weight. Being overweight or obese increases stress on your knee joints, even during ordinary activities such as walking or going up and downstairs. It also puts you at increased risk of osteoarthritis by accelerating the breakdown of joint cartilage.
• Lack of muscle flexibility or strength. A lack of strength and flexibility can increase the risk of knee injuries. Strong muscles help stabilize and protect your joints, and muscle flexibility can help you achieve a full range of motion.
• Certain sports or occupations. Some sports put greater stress on your knees than do others. Alpine skiing with its rigid ski boots and potential for falls, basketball jumps, and pivots, and the repeated pounding your knees take when you run or jog all increase your risk of a knee injury. Jobs that require repetitive stress on the knees such as construction or farming also can increase your risk.
• Previous injury. Having a previous knee injury makes it more likely that you’ll injure your knee again.

Complications

Not all knee pain is serious. But some knee injuries and medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis, can lead to increasing pain, joint damage, and disability if left untreated. And having a knee injury — even a minor one — makes it more likely that you’ll have similar injuries in the future.

Prevention

Although it’s not always possible to prevent knee pain, the following suggestions may help ward off injuries and joint deterioration:

• Keep extra pounds off. Maintain a healthy weight; it’s one of the best things you can do for your knees. Every extra pound puts additional strain on your joints, increasing the risk of injuries and osteoarthritis.
• Be in shape to play your sport. To prepare your muscles for the demands of sports participation, take time for conditioning.
• Practice perfectly. Make sure the technique and movement patterns you use in your sports or activity are the best they can be. Lessons from a professional can be very helpful.
• Get strong, stay flexible. Weak muscles are a leading cause of knee injuries. You’ll benefit from building up your quadriceps and hamstrings, the muscles on the front and back of your thighs that help support your knees. Balance and stability training helps the muscles around your knees work together more effectively.And because tight muscles also can contribute to injury, stretching is important. Try to include flexibility exercises in your workouts.
• Be smart about exercise. If you have osteoarthritis, chronic knee pain, or recurring injuries, you may need to change the way you exercise. Consider switching to swimming, water aerobics or other low-impact activities — at least for a few days a week. Sometimes simply limiting high-impact activities will provide relief.

Shin Splints

A person suffering from a shin splint will face severe pain at the front side of the lower leg. Mostly, these injuries happen to everyday runners, especially those who go overboard when it comes to running because it produces an extra amount of stress on the shin bone tissues and causes them to tear. The icing on the aching area and covering the ankle with taping can help reduce the pain. In case of severe pain, consult an orthopedic doctor.

The term “shin splints” refers to pain along the shin bone (tibia) — the large bone in the front of your lower leg. Shin splints are common in runners, dancers, and military recruits.

Medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, shin splints often occur in athletes who have recently intensified or changed their training routines. The increased activity overworks the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue.

Most cases of shin splints can be treated with rest, ice, and other self-care measures. Wearing proper footwear and modifying your exercise routine can help prevent shin splints from recurring.

Symptoms

If you have shin splints, you might notice tenderness, soreness, or pain along the inner side of your shinbone and mild swelling in your lower leg. At first, the pain might stop when you stop exercising. Eventually, however, the pain can be continuous and might progress to a stress reaction or stress fracture.

When to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers don’t ease your shin pain.

Causes

Shin splints are caused by repetitive stress on the shinbone and the connective tissues that attach your muscles to the bone.

Risk factors

You’re more at risk of shin splints if:

• You’re a runner, especially one beginning a running program
• You suddenly increase the duration, frequency, or intensity of exercise
• You run on uneven terrains, such as hills, or hard surfaces, such as concrete
• You’re in military training
• You have flat feet or high arches

Prevention

To help prevent shin splints:

• Analyze your movement. Formal video analysis of your running technique can help to identify movement patterns that can contribute to shin splints. In many cases, a slight change in your running can help decrease your risk.
• Avoid overdoing. Too much running or other high-impact activity performed for too long at too high an intensity can overload the shins.
• Choose the right shoes. If you’re a runner, replace your shoes about every 350 to 500 miles (560 to 800 kilometers).
• Consider arch supports. Arch supports can help prevent the pain of shin splints, especially if you have flat arches.
• Consider shock-absorbing insoles. They might reduce shin splint symptoms and prevent a recurrence.
• Lessen the impact. Cross-train with a sport that places less impact on your shins, such as swimming, walking, or biking. Remember to start new activities slowly. Increase time and intensity gradually.
• Add strength training to your workout. Exercises to strengthen and stabilize your legs, ankles, hips, and core can help prepare your legs to deal with high-impact sports.

Fractures

Some sports are aggressive such as rugby, wrestling, or football. You never know when you might fall to the ground and break a bone. These are more severe injuries compared to others because they might need surgery to heal the broken bone. A person who has even the smallest of cracks in the bones should take enough rest and let the bone heal completely.

A fracture is a broken bone. It requires medical attention. If the broken bone is the result of major trauma or injury, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Also call for emergency help if:

• The person is unresponsive, isn’t breathing, or isn’t moving. Begin CPR if there’s no breathing or heartbeat.
• There is heavy bleeding.
• Even gentle pressure or movement causes pain.
• The limb or joint appears deformed.
• The bone has pierced the skin.
• The extremity of the injured arm or leg, such as a toe or finger, is numb or bluish at the tip.
• You suspect a bone is broken in the neck, head, or back.

Don’t move the person except if necessary to avoid further injury. Take these actions immediately while waiting for medical help:

• Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth, or a clean piece of clothing.
• Immobilize the injured area. Don’t try to realign the bone or push a bone that’s sticking out back in. If you’ve been trained in how to splint and professional help isn’t readily available, apply a splint to the area above and below the fracture sites. Padding the splints can help reduce discomfort.
• Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain. Don’t apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth, or some other material.
• Treat for shock. If the person feels faint or is breathing in short, rapid breaths, lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and, if possible, elevate the legs.

Dislocations

Too much stress, push and pull of a bone can cause it to dislocate. The most common types of dislocations occur in the shoulders, knees, hands, nose, etc. In the case of a dislocation, emergency treatment should be considered as the first priority to avoid further or permanent damage.

A dislocation is an injury in which the ends of your bones are forced from their normal positions. The cause is usually trauma resulting from a fall, an auto accident, or a collision during contact or high-speed sports.

Dislocation usually involves the body’s larger joints. In adults, the most common site of the injury is the shoulder. In children, it’s the elbow. Your thumb and fingers also are vulnerable if forcibly bent the wrong way.

The injury will temporarily deform and immobilize your joint and may result in sudden and severe pain and swelling. A dislocation requires prompt medical attention to return your bones to their proper positions.

If you believe you have dislocated a joint:

1. Don’t delay medical care. Get medical help immediately.
2. Don’t move the joint. Until you receive help, splint the affected joint into its fixed position. Don’t try to move a dislocated joint or force it back into place. This can damage the joint and its surrounding muscles, ligaments, nerves, or blood vessels.
3. Put ice on the injured joint. This can help reduce swelling by controlling internal bleeding and the buildup of fluids in and around the injured joint.

 

 

*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
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