We all know that participating in sports is a healthy choice, but most of us don’t like to step into the filed, knowing it could land them in hospital or in a wheelchair for months. But if you are really into sports and want to know what are the common injuries and how to stay away from them, read on for all your answers.
The reality is that we all participate in sports in one way or another. Some of us might make it to the national team while others may still feel contended with having fun in the backyard. Exercising is beneficial for our health, but when an injury strikes, it could really put down a person. However, most injuries related to sports are caused due to lack of warming up or stretching appropriately beforehand.
These are the 5 common sports injuries that you need to watch out for:
1. Sprains and strains
Nearly in every sport, strains and sprains are a normality, as they are the outcome of an intense psychical activity. A sprain is caused when the ligament that connects muscles with the bones gets overstretched. The damage resulting from a sprain could keep you from getting back into the field for sometime. Also, sprains are more common in ankles, knees or wrists. A strain is more commonly referred to as a pulled muscle, and is caused when a tendon or muscle stretches beyond their normal capacity.
2. Knee injuries
Around 5 million people have to visit orthopedic clinics to get help for their knee-related injuries. Some mild kneed injuries include runner’s knee (associated with pain in the front of the kneecap), iliotibial band syndrome, and tendonitis (inflammation within a tendon). In some cases, knee injuries could also cause a damage to the ligament or cartilage.
3. Fractures
Then comes the fractures that causes a one-time dreadful injury to the bone. Sometimes, repeated stress could also result in a fracture (stress fracture). Also, note that every fracture either includes a few small cracks or a major break.
4. Dislocations
This is a medical condition where a bone is forced out of the ligament it’s connected to. Dislocations are also known to some as a luxation. Sports that include a lot of contact, falling and excessive stretching could cause dislocations. Remember that dislocation is a medical emergency and requires to be treated ASAP.
5. Shin Splints
If you have ever experienced pain along the shin bone, it’s a shin splint. The pain resulting from this type of injury is mostly felt at front of the lower leg. Shin splints are common with runners who have to take a long run on hard surfaces.
How to boost the recovery period?
Whenever an injury is caused, it’s important to pay special attention to its early stages. If you have a ligament injury, icing could really help reduce the compression and swelling. And if you are able to keep your legs in an upright position, it could largely help with reducing the swelling. Consult a physiotherapist, if you have one, to know more about what exactly needs to be about your injury. Also, remember that diet plays a crucial role in the recovery, so you have to down the right ingredients into your body. Stay away from alcohol, and use more fruits and veggies in your diet.
Physio Inq acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
