Chronic Sport Injuries

Athletes suffer from two kinds of sports injuries, according to the National Institute of Arthritis. Acute injuries are the dramatic ones: a bone sticking out of place or the sudden pain of a sprained ankle. Chronic injuries hurt, too, but they occur over a longer period of time. The pain usually comes from overusing a part of your body; a common example is tennis elbow from too much time spent on the courts.

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures are small cracks in your bones caused by a continual heavy load, says KidsHealth, the website of the Nemours Center for Children's Health Media. Many gymnasts, runners and basketball players get these fractures in the metatarsal bones in their feet. Stress fractures often cause sharp pain during use of the affected area. Common treatment includes resting until the fracture heals and changing your training techniques to prevent further complications.

Shin Splints

Athletes such as runners often suffer from an inflammatory condition known as shin splints, according to the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine. It's usually caused by overconditioning and running on hard surfaces, although you may be prone to it if your feet are naturally misaligned. In the beginning, you feel pain during the activity but it subsides during rest. In time, the pain may increase after you finish working out. Shin splints are often treated through rest, a gradual return to your chosen activity, and cross-training with non-impact sports such as swimming.

Tendinitis

The inflammation known as tendinitis can cause pain in any tendon, but it usually occurs in your wrists, heels, elbows and shoulders, according to the Mayo Clinic. Repetitive motion often causes tendinitis, which has many common names, such as tennis elbow and pitcher's shoulder. You can usually treat the pain and swelling by resting and taking anti-inflammatories, but you should see a doctor if your pain lasts more than a few days. The Mayo Clinic says that, if you have a severe case, you may rupture a tendon and require surgery.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory condition of the heel. The University of Tennessee says it's the cause of about 10 percent of all injuries suffered by runners. Plantar fasciitis usually causes extreme pain when you first get out of bed, and it's also painful when you walk or run. Treatment often includes rest, physical therapy, the application of ice, splinting and orthotics.