SPORTS MEDICINE AND INJURIES

Sports injuries are injuries that can occur while involving in sports activities or exercise. Sports injuries can cause the problems of sprains, strains, broken bones and etc.

Common sports injuries that need the sports medicine

Some sports injuries that are common in sports:

Achilles tendon injury

This injury can occur to anyone whether a person is an athlete or just doing the everyday work. It causes pain on the lower back of the leg. The injured area gets worse, swollen and stiff.

Knee ligament injury

A ligament injury in the knee hurt a lot. A person with this injury cannot put weight on the joints. It causes severe pain and swelling.

Ankle injury

An ankle injury can happen to anyone at any stage. But it is common for athletes. Ankle injuries include sprains, strains, and fractures.

Concussion

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury. People who are engaged in sports like football have the higher chance of concussion. This injury causes a headache, nausea, vomiting, memory loss and etc.

Groin pull

The groin pull is common in people who are involved in sports like hockey, football, soccer that requires a lot of running and jumping. This injury causes severe pain in the groin and thigh.

Hamstring injury

The hamstring injury is common for football, soccer, basketball players, runners, and skaters. It causes severe pain, bruising, tenderness in the lower buttock, back of the thigh.

Muscle strain

Muscle strain occurs in sports that included heavy lifting and can occur in daily tasks. It damages blood vessels, pain, bruising, irritation, and bleeding.

Tailbone injury

Tailbone injury can result in dislocation of the coccyx. It causes bone spurs and injuries to the spine.

Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow injury is associated with racket sports. Tennis elbow involves pain and inflammation.

Hip Bursitis

Hip bursitis occurs at the area of hips and lowers back. It occurs while running, cycling, jumping and similar activities. This causes worse pain, stiffness, and inflammation.

Causes of sports injuries

Sports injuries are most commonly caused by:

An improper technique of doing exercise or sports can lead to more acute injuries.

An uncomfortable and unsafe environment for exercise or sports can cause the problem of sports injuries.

Doing too much training can be the reason for sports injuries

Not physically fit, no proper diet and weakness in muscles and bones are the reason to get sports injuries.

Structural abnormalities like uneven leg length, flat feet can result in injuries.

The improper warm-up can cause the injury of muscles and bones. The reason is muscles are not prepared for exercise or sports activities.

Overuse causes the injuries as repetitive injuries to apply pressure to muscles, ligaments, and bones. Injuries get worse with time.

General Treatment that can be helpful for sports injuries.

  • PRICE therapy can be used to relieve the pain from sports injuries. PRICE – protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation
  • Protect the affected area using a support.

  • Avoid to do exercise. Minimize sports activities.

  • Apply ice on the affected area for some time. It provides relief from the pain and swelling.

  • Use compression bandages.

  • Elevate the injured part above the level of the heart.

  1. Some painkiller can be used to relieve the pain.

  2. Physiotherapy can be beneficial for long-term injuries.

Sports medicine and injuries health care providers can help in diagnosing and treatment of sports injuries.  Sports medicine specialists include therapists, orthopedists, physicians, surgeons, and athletic trainers.

Prevention of sports injuries

There are some prevention tips that can be useful to prevent sports injuries:

  • Warm up and cool down.

  • Wear protective gear like helmets, pads, gloves and other gears.

  • Avoid playing while injured.

  • Get a healthy and balanced diet.

  • Keep hydrated.

  • Take breaks.

  • Use the proper technique.