Sports injury means an injury caused during exercise or sport. However, injury can occur to any part of the body while playing or exercising. But the term sports injuries are used specifically to refer to an injury to the musculoskeletal system.
These injuries are mostly due to some trauma and overuse of muscles or joints. You are more prone to sports injuries in certain situations, such as if you are not active regularly or do not warm up before exercising. If you are also fond of sports or exercise, then knowing about sports injuries is very important for you.
What Are Common Sports Injuries?
Let us first know about the types of sports injuries. Different sports injuries have different symptoms and different complications. The most common sports injuries are as follows:
Sprains: Sprains can occur when ligaments are stretched while playing or exercising. Ligaments are the group of tissue that connect bones together.
Strains: A strain can be the result of overstretching or a muscle injury. Tendons are thick, fibrous strands of tissue that connect bone to muscle. A strain is generally thought of as a sprain, but there is a difference between the two.
Knee Injury: An injury that causes problems with the movement of the knee joint can be a sports injury. This injury can range from overstretching or tearing in the muscles and tissues of the knee.
Muscle Swelling: It is also normal to have swelling due to an injury. Swollen muscles can be painful and weak and can become damaged quickly.
Achilles Tendon Rupture: The Achilles tendon is a thin but strong tendon at the back of our ankle. It can break during the game. A break can cause you to suddenly feel severe pain and have trouble walking.
Fracture: Fractures are also common due to bone breaks during sports.
Dislocations Sports Injury: Dislocation can cause any bone in the body to become dislocated. It can be painful and cause swelling and weakness.
Rotator Cuff Injury: The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles. The rotator cuff helps the shoulder to rotate in all directions. Injury to any of these muscles can weaken the rotator cuff.
What Are The Common Sports Injury Causes?
Sports injuries are divided into two categories: acute and chronic.
An acute injury can be caused by some incident or accident. The symptoms which you can clearly see beforehand such as slip, fall, collision with something etc. All these can lead to acute injury. It is normal to have some accidents while playing sports. These accidents can be avoided with the right gear, and equipment and playing in safe conditions. For example, if you play a sport on a slippery floor, it is natural for you to slip or fall. So avoid playing on such floors.
Chronic injuries are of long duration, beginning with an acute injury. But, due to some reason, it is not completely cured. Many athletes go through this pain which is caused by chronic injuries.
How To Avoid Sports Injuries?
Exercising or playing any sport is very important to stay healthy and fit. It is not right that you should not play sports or exercise to avoid sports injury. However, you can avoid injury during sports by taking care of a few things, such as:
- Take care while exercising: Make a fitness plan while exercising. Including cardiovascular exercise, strength training and flexibility. All of this will help reduce your chances of injury. Alternate with exercises for different muscle groups and exercise every other day.
- Keep the body cool: Our body cools down before exercise or sports. A cold body hurts more quickly than a hot body. In this case, it is necessary to warm up. Also, drink enough water. With this, you will avoid dehydration, heat stroke etc.
- Don’t forget to stretch: Stretching exercises can improve muscle contraction and ability to perform. Thereby reducing the risk of injury. The stretch should be started slowly until the muscle reaches a point of stretching. Stretching should not be painful.
- Right technology and equipment: While playing or exercising, all your equipment or items in use should be correct such as shoes. If your shoes are not right, it can cause foot injury. It is also important to be aware of the correct technique while playing any sport or doing exercise. Avoid exercising or playing whenever you are tired or in pain. If you get a sports injury, you should get proper treatment and rest before playing or exercising again.
- Avoid overdoing it: If you have an injury, do so until you are fully recovered. Do not start sports or exercise. Do not start work, especially in pain.
How Are Sports Injuries Treated?
Before knowing about the treatment of sports injury, it is important to know what type of sports injury you have. Only then can its proper treatment be possible.
The RICE Method for Sports Injuries: If you have a mild sports injury, a special method of treatment is adopted, which is called the RICE method. In this, R is rest, I is ice, and C is compression. E is known for elevation. This method is great for mild sports injuries. For best results, this method is adopted between 24 to 36 after the injury. This reduces swelling. The problem of pain and bruising due to sports injury is also relieved.
Medicines: Taking over-the-counter and prescription medications may also help your injury heal or reduce pain and swelling. If your sports injury is serious, see a doctor immediately. The injury could be serious if you see these symptoms:
- More swelling and pain
- Any lumps, bumps, or other problems
- When you use joints, there is a sound
- Weakness or inability to put weight on the joint
- Instability
If you experience any of the following after an injury, it is still an emergency and you need to see a doctor right away:
- Breathing problem
- Dizziness
- Fever
Severe sports injuries may require surgery and physical therapy. If the injury does not heal within two weeks, contact your doctor.
Other Ways to sports injuries treated
Sports injury treatment is also done in these ways:
Using a cast, or brace Pain-relieving injections, such as a cortisone shot Physical therapy Surgery
What Should Be Done If Someone Suddenly Gets A Sports Injury?
If someone suddenly gets a sports injury, then R.I.C.E. to remove the pain and swelling. The method should be used:
- Rest: Do not put too much pressure on the area where the injury has occurred and take rest for the next few days.
- Ice: Ice is effective in reducing swelling and irritation, as well as it can prove beneficial in pain. Many athletes who ice an acute injury do not need pain pills to reduce discomfort.
- Compress: Compress means applying pressure to the injured area. But this pressure should not be high. You can wrap this area with a bandage.
- Elevate: Elevating the injured area can also help reduce swelling, irritation, and pain.
If this method is not getting relief, then immediately consult a doctor and it is necessary to get the right treatment.
What Are The Things To Be Taken Care Of In Future After A Sports Injury?
When you are recovering after a sports injury and are about to start your sport or exercise again. So, you should take care of some special things like:
Now you will need such protective gear, which can protect your body from injury. Like you can bring change in your shoes. Get shoes that can protect your feet from injury. Again, be sure to warm up before practice and games to avoid injury. When you return to your sport for the first time after an injury, start slowly. Do not start playing or exercising as before. Doing so can be harmful to you.
To avoid sports injuries, it is most important to understand your limits and body gestures. If you have an injury or if the injured limb is in pain again, stop sports or exercise immediately and rest. If you are not getting relief from pain or if the pain is increasing, then consult a dr vaibhav jain immediately.
