Hence, it is not only the sports playing people who can get sports injuries, but anyone and everyone who does any sort of physical activity and exercise. It can include all age groups and people from all aspects of life. Though, most commonly injured people are:
Usually, common sports injuries are mild or moderate there’s some damage, but everything is still in place. You can treat them at home using the PRICE therapy method described later in this article. But you should expect that some common spor9ts injuries may take months to heal, even with good treatment. If a sprain or strain is severe, however, the entire muscle, tendon, or ligament is torn away, and surgery may be needed.
Here are some specific tips for treating each of the most common sports injuries:
What it is: Most athletes have experienced a sprained ankle, which typically occurs when the foot turns inward. This turning stretches or tears the ligaments on the outside of the ankle, which are relatively weak.
What you can do: With an ankle sprain, it’s important to exercise to prevent loss of flexibility and strength — and re-injury. You can ask your doctor or physical therapist to help you know what kinds of exercise you should do.
When to see a doctor: It’s important to note where the sprain has occurred. A ‘high ankle sprain’ is slower to heal and should probably be seen by a doctor to make sure the bones in the lower leg did not separate. One way to recognize a high ankle sprain is that this sprain usually causes tenderness above the ankle.
What it is: Pushing off in a side-to-side motion causes strain of the inner thigh muscles or groin. Hockey, soccer, football, and baseball are common sports with groin injuries.
What you can do: Compression, ice, and rest will heal most groin injuries. Returning to full activity too quickly can aggravate a groin pull or turn it into a long-term problem.
When to see a doctor: Any groin pull that has significant swelling should be seen early by a physician.
What it is: Three muscles in the back of the thigh from the hamstring. The hamstring can be over-stretched by movements such as hurdling — kicking the leg out sharply when running. Falling forward while waterskiing is another common cause of hamstring strains.
What you can do: Hamstring injuries are slow to heal because of the constant stress applied to the injured tissue from walking. Complete healing can take six to 12 months. Re-injuries are common because it’s hard for many guys to stay inactive for that long.
What they are: Pains down the front of the lower legs are commonly called “shin splints.” They are most often brought on by running especially when starting a more strenuous training program like long runs on paved roads.
What you can do: Rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medications are the mainstays of treatment.
When to see a doctor: The pain of shin splints is rarely an actual stress fracture — a small break in the shin bone. But you should see your doctor if the pain persists, even with rest. Stress fractures require prolonged rest, commonly a month or more to heal.
What it is: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) holds the leg bone to the knee. Sudden “cuts” or stops or getting hit from the side can strain or tear the ACL. A complete tear can make the dreaded “pop” sound.
When to see a doctor: Always, if you suspect an ACL injury. ACL tears are potentially the most severe of the common sports injuries. A completely torn ACL will usually require surgery in individuals who wish to remain physically active.
What it is: Patellofemoral syndrome can result from the repetitive movement of your kneecap (patella) against your thigh bone (femur), which can damage the tissue under the kneecap. Running, volleyball and basketball commonly set it off. One knee or both can be affected.
What you can do: Patience is key. Patellofemoral pain can take up to six weeks to clear up. It’s important to continue low-impact exercise during this time. Working out the quadriceps can also relieve pain.
What it is: Repetitive use of the elbow — for example, during golf or tennis swings — can irritate or make tiny tears in the elbow’s tendons. Epicondylitis is most common in 30- to 60-year-olds and usually involves the outside of the elbow.
What you can do: Epicondylitis can usually be cleared up by staying off the tennis court or golf course until the pain improves.
What it is: Shoulder can come out of its socket or the tendons inside the shoulder can be torn.
What to do: You have to see your doctor at the earliest. It most probably will require surgery to correct the problem.
Using the PRICE method to treat any common sports injury will help get you back in the game sooner.
First, it’s important to know that swelling is a normal response to these injuries. Excessive swelling, though, can reduce the range of motion and interfere with healing. You can limit swelling and start healing faster after common sports injuries by using the PRICE principle:
Over-the-counter pain relievers usually relieve the pain of common sports injuries to a tolerable level. If they don’t, it’s probably time to see a doctor.
When to get medical attention for common sports injuries
We know you’re tough but you also need to be smart. If you suspect a serious injury or if you have any of these signs, see a doctor: