Sports injuries are a common occurrence, especially among athletes who participate in high-impact activities. While some injuries are minor and heal quickly, others can be more serious and take much longer to recover from. In some cases, athletes may even be forced to retire from their sport due to a debilitating injury. In order to prevent these injuries, it is important to warm up properly before participating in any physical activity. Wearing the proper gear and using the right techniques can also help reduce the risk of sustaining an injury.
If you do find yourself dealing with an injury, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation are all effective methods of dealing with pain and swelling. Physical therapy may also be recommended in some cases.
Keep reading to learn more about the 5 most common types of sports injuries!
Muscular injury
The most common type of sporting injury is a muscle injury. This can either be bruising or contusion, which are very common and will settle down after a short amount of time. Other muscular injuries include muscle strains or when you have ‘pulled’ a muscle. Depending on the severity of this, it can also be a quick recovery.
ACL rupture
An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is very common in young athletes and usually happens due to external factors. Normally due to sharp turns or explosive power being used which causes a sharp ‘pop’ inside the knee, which is typically the ACL rupturing. Dependent on the severity surgery may not be needed.
Patellar knee injury
There may be many different reasons why you get pain in the knee, at the front. It can be caused by repetitive strain injury, which normally occurs from running or a fat pad impingement. Patella knee injury often occurs when someone has changed the sport they play or changed the way they walk.
Meniscus injury
This injury typically occurs with a cartilage injury and occurs when there is significant trauma to the knee, causing a tear in the meniscus. As people age the meniscus becomes more brittle and any trauma to the knee can cause it to tear.
Cartilage injury
This common injury is caused by trauma. This could mean a fall onto the joint or affected area. Recovery depends on the grade of injury. Most of the time injury recovers with a simple contusion. However, if there is further injury to the cartilage, it can float around the knee and cause a problem. This can lead to early on-set arthritis.
Sports injuries are a common occurrence, with nearly half of all athletes suffering from one at some point in their careers. While some of these injuries can be treated at home, others require the care of a medical professional. If you are suffering from any of these injuries, see a doctor for help.
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