In addition to being a great source of enjoyment, participating in sports or exercise supplies immense health benefits. Unfortunately, it also carries a risk of injury. A sports injury refers to the kinds of injuries that most commonly happen during sports or exercise. These are divided into two broad categories: acute and chronic injuries. Although many of these do transpire from a physical activity, it’s important to note that they are not limited to athletes and can also occur during work-related or everyday tasks.
At least 3.5 million kids and 8.6 million adults are treated for sports injuries each year. Women and AFAB people with less muscle mass to protect tendons and ligaments tend to sustain more sports-related injuries than men and AMAB people. All sports have the potential for injury, but contact sports, such as football or hockey, carry more risk than a noncontact sport like swimming or golf.
If you suspect an injury, it’s important to seek out proper medical attention immediately, because early diagnosis and coordinated care are critical to getting on the road to recovery. Read on to learn about some of the most common sports injuries and ways to treat and recover from them.
Bone Fractures
A bone fracture is a broken bone, typically caused by traumas like falls or sports injuries. Repetitive activities like running can increase the risk of certain types of fractures. Bone fractures from sports can take on a wide variety of presentations. One example is a stress fracture, which is a very small crack in the bone typically found in the shin bone, foot, heel, hip or lower back. Another example is an avulsion fracture, when a piece of bone attached to a ligament or tendon breaks away from the main part of the bone. This could result from sprinting, hitting, sliding or other activities that involve quick movements and sudden changes in direction.
Many fractures are painful and might prevent you from moving the injured area. Swelling, bruising or tenderness are also common. In severe cases, a limb may appear deformed or a part of the bone may puncture through the skin.
Your healthcare provider will diagnose and treat your fracture based on the fracture pattern, its cause and which specific body part was affected. Depending on the severity of your break, the treatment could range from a splint, cast, brace, boot or sling to surgery.
Bursitis
Bursitis affects the small, fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints. These bursae can become inflamed, commonly in the shoulder, elbow and hip, knee, heel and big toe. It often occurs near joints that perform frequent repetitive motion, so repeatedly throwing a baseball could trigger or aggravate this condition.
If you have bursitis, the joint may feel achy or stiff, hurt more when you move it or present as swollen and red. Treatment typically involves resting the joint and protecting it from further trauma.
Concussions
A concussion is a traumatic injury to the brain that disrupts its normal function. It can be caused by direct trauma to the head, such as a tackle in football, a bad fall off a horse or a ski injury. Some signs of a concussion are:
- Confusion
- Headache
- Vision disturbances (double or blurry vision)
- Dizziness or imbalance
- Nausea or vomiting
- Memory loss
- Ringing ears
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sensitivity to light
- Loss of smell or taste
- Trouble falling asleep
Wearing proper head protection is key to preventing trauma to the head. Treatment will depend on the severity of the concussion, but concussions should be taken seriously and appropriate medical care should be sought.
Dislocations
A dislocation occurs when the bones of a joint are knocked out of place. A joint can be partially dislocated (subluxation) or fully dislocated. A dislocation can be caused by a trauma like a fall from playing a contact sport. For instance, someone may run into you on the soccer field and cause you to fall and dislocate a shoulder. Commonly dislocated joints include the ankles, knees, shoulders, hips, elbows, jaw, finger and toes.
Symptoms of a dislocation may vary, depending on the severity and location of the injury, but might include pain. swelling, bruising, instability of the joint, loss of ability to move the joint or a visibly deformed joint. Treatment may involve medication, manipulation, rest or even surgery. If you suspect you may have dislocated a joint it’s best to be evaluated by an orthopedist or at an urgent care or ER.
Inflammation
Inflammation is a localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen or hot, typically in response to an injury or infection. Inflammation can be short-lived or chronic. For instance, if you overuse a joint while playing tennis, it could cause it to become inflamed. Another common ailment, plantar fasciitis, occurs when the plantar fascia, a strong band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot, becomes irritated and inflamed.
Resting and anti-inflammatory medication can minimize or treat inflammation and help you recover. Your healthcare provider may also advise you to use heat and/or ice and to avoid activities that aggravate the joint.
Nerve Injuries
Peripheral nerves can be damaged by an injury from an accident, a fall or sports, which can stretch, compress, crush or cut nerves. Depending on the location and severity of the damage, symptoms vary, but they might include muscle weakness, cramps, tingling or muscle twitching.
If you believe you may have nerve damage, it’s important to get medical care as soon as possible, because early diagnosis and treatment may prevent complications and permanent damage. Your doctor may conduct a physical and neurological examination and will determine the best course of treatment based on the severity and cause of your injury.
Sprains
Sprains are common sports injuries. They are stretches or tears of ligaments (the bands of connective tissue that join the end of one bone with another) caused by trauma such as a fall or a blow that knocks a joint out of position. Sprains can range from first-degree (minimally stretched ligament) to third-degree (a complete tear). Areas of the body that are particularly vulnerable to sprains are ankles, knees and wrists. Proper stretching can help prevent strains and many other injuries.
Strains
A strain is a twist, pull or tear of a muscle or tendon, a cord of tissue connecting muscle to bone. Those who play contact sports may be susceptible to strains, but they can also happen from repeating a motion, like in tennis or golf. Strains can vary from a minor stretch to a partial or complete tear of a muscle or tendon. An example is “throwing out your back,” which describes back pain from straining the muscles in your back.
Tears
Ligaments and tendons are made from tough, flexible tissue; they are very strong, but with enough force, they can tear. Meniscal tears or ACL tears are examples you commonly hear about.
If you injure a ligament, some symptoms may be bruising, loose feeling in the joint, pain, popping sounds or swelling. Consult an orthopedist to determine the best course of treatment; in many cases, a torn tendon or ligament will require surgery.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is inflammation of the thick fibrous cords (tendons) that attach muscle to bone. It causes pain and tenderness just outside a joint. Tennis elbow, a common type of tendonitis, occurs when forearm muscles and tendons become damaged from overuse, such as from a repetitive tennis swing.
In some cases, rest, ice and pain relievers might be all that’s needed to alleviate tendonitis pain. Your healthcare provider might encourage you to visit a physical therapist regularly to treat tendonitis.
How to Prevent Sports Injuries
Prevention is key when it comes to sports injuries. Here are some general tips to keep you safe and injury-free:
- Set realistic goals and don’t overexert yourself.
- Focus on using proper technique.
- Warm up and cool down and make sure to stretch.
- Listen to your body and rest when you need it.