5 Common Sports Injuries And How To Treat Them

John Hopkins Medicine mentions that the most common injury that people get when it comes to sports is strains and sprains. These problems should be treated immediately to ensure a proper recovery. However, until a patient undergoes an Express MRI, there’s no clue as to how bad the injury is. In this article, we’ll examine the most common sports injuries and the best way to deal with them to ensure a quick recovery.

1. Ankle Sprain

The Mayo Clinic mentions that a sprained ankle happens when you turn, twist, or move your ankle awkwardly. This turning stretches the ligaments in the ankle, which are already weak and can lead to them tearing as a result. If you suffered from a sprained ankle, it’s vital to exercise to ensure that the sprain heals naturally. However, you should consult a doctor or a therapist to ascertain which exercises will help rather than hinder the healing. A high ankle sprain will take a longer time to heal. A doctor will advise you whether the bones in your lower leg are separated or not due to the sprain. High ankle sprains typically cause tenderness above the ankle when they happen.

2. Groin Pull

This type of injury typically affects individuals who participate in baseball, football, soccer, and hockey. Healthline informs us that a groin pull may also be referred to as a groin strain and results from tearing of the adductor muscles which make up the inner thigh. Immediately after a groin pull, you should compress the muscle, preferably using an ice pack. A period of rest is the best cure for a groin pull. If there is significant swelling after the pull, you should immediately consult a doctor to ensure there are no complications.

3. Hamstring Strain

The hamstring is made up of three muscles at the back of the thigh. If you’re kicking or hurdling, your hamstring muscles can be over-stretched, leading to strain. Since hamstrings are used so often by athletes when they’re not even performing, these injuries can take even longer to heal than other strains. Complete healing of the hamstring can take anywhere between six and twelve months, even with rigorous physical therapy. If you re-enter competition before recovery has been completed, you’ll probably end up causing more long-term damage to the tissue.

4. Shin Splints

Many of us who are casual runners have felt this malady. Shin splints are a sharp pain down the front of the lower leg. If you’ve trained on a treadmill and start running on paved roads as a challenge, you’ll probably end up with this problem. The main ways to treat shin splints are rest, icing the pain, and using OTC pain medicine. Shin splints may sometimes come with complications. On rare occasions, the splints are because of a hairline fracture in the shin bone. If, after rest, you still find the pain persisting, see a doctor and get an MRI, just to be safe.

5. Knee Injuries

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is responsible for holding the leg bone to the knee. When you get tackled while playing soccer or football, that sudden stop can lead to tearing of the ACL. If the entire ligament gets torn, you may hear a pop sound. ACL tears are among the most devastating of sports injuries, and seeing a doctor if you suspect you have one is the best first response. A completely torn ACL will require surgery, and knowing early can help you anticipate what comes next.

Sports injuries are to be expected in the heat of competition. Dealing with them as they happen is the best possible way to ensure you maintain your fitness and recover quickly. However, it’s always a concern about re-entering competition before an injury has completely healed. To avoid doing this, keep in constant contact with your physical therapist and your doctor to ensure that you’re fit to resume practice or competition.