Sports injuries are injuries that occur during athletic activities, competitions or in the training sessions used as preparation for these events. While some of these injuries happen rapidly during a single event, others accumulate gradually over an extended period of time. Athletes who experience sports injuries must take the time to recuperate and heal their bodies.
Basics
The National Institute on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, or NIAMS, lists potential causes of sports injuries that include accidents, lack of sufficient body conditioning, poor training techniques, inadequate pre-event warm-ups and use of poor athletic equipment. You can develop injuries from these sources regardless of your age, gender or level of athletic involvement. Structures of the body commonly affect by sports injuries include your muscles, bones, cartilage and supporting tissues such as your ligaments---which connect bone to bone---and tendons, which connect bone to muscle.
Types of Injuries
According to NIAMS, the most common types of sports injuries are ligament sprains, tendon strains, bone dislocations, fractures, knee injuries, Achilles tendon injuries, swollen muscles and shin bone pain. Injuries that occur suddenly are called acute injuries. In addition to sprains, strains and fractures, injuries in this category include lacerations, abrasions or scrapes and bruises, also called contusions. Injuries that occur over extended periods of time are called chronic or overuse injuries. Injuries in this category include tendinitis, tiny cracks in your bones called stress fractures and injuries in the bone growth plates of developing, young athletes.
Treatments
In many cases, you can treat an athletic injury with a procedure called the R.I.C.E. protocol, which combines rest, applications of ice or another cold source, use of compression bandages and elevation of the injury site above the level of your heart. However, in some cases your injury will require medical treatment. Seek a doctor's care if you can't support your own body weight, experience swelling or joint abnormalities with a chronic injury or experience severe pain, numbness or swelling. Potential medical options for sports injuries include painkillers, immobilizing devices such as casts or splints and surgery.
Rehabilitation and Prevention
As your injury heals, you may need to go through some form of rehabilitation in order to maintain normal body function, NIAMS notes. Potential steps in a rehabilitation program include range-of-motion, stretching and strengthening exercises, as well as techniques such as massage, electrostimulation, ultrasound treatments and cold or heat therapy. You can help prevent sports injuries by knowing your body's limitations, moderating your activity levels, warming up before exercise, using proper safety gear and learning about the body mechanics of any sport you choose to play. Consult your doctor or physical therapist for more information and advice.
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