If you grew up playing sports, then you know that injuries come along with all the joys that sports offer. Football, baseball, hockey, volleyball, heck, you can even get injured on the golf course if you’re unlucky enough. Injuries come with the territory, and the older we get, the more injury-prone we become. So what are the most common injuries in sports? Both in professional and amateur sports, people get hurt. So let’s talk about common injuries related to the sports we love.
Broken Bones:
Let’s be real, this injury sucks! If you have ever broken a bone, then you know why this made the top of our list. A broken bone will take you out for the season, rehab and recovery can last an entire offseason, and honestly, that bone will be vulnerable to injury for the rest of your career. So go hard, bone hard, just don’t break any bones!
Knee Injuries:
My second least favorite on this list is the knee. Sliding into a base, getting checked on the ice, or getting chop blocked in football, any of these scenarios can be a one-way ticket to blowing out your knee. The knee takes a lot of damage in any sport, and it’s responsible for carrying a lot of your weight, do yourself a favor and take care of those knees! Carpet layers wear knee pads for a reason, tile layers wear knee pads for a reason, heck, your mom wears knee pads for a reason, so whatever your reason, wear pads, and protect your knees.
Ankle Sprains:
These are just annoying! It’s not a break, and it’s not a tear, it’s a sprain! As silly as these sound, they can be pretty painful. Kids can sprain their ankles skateboarding, or performing solo for a ballet recital. Nobody is safe from the notorious ankle sprain! Keep your eyes on the playing field, watch the ground under your feet, and keep your ankles safe!
Achilles Tear:
You’ve heard of it, and maybe you’ve experienced it, this injury is nasty! Also capable of sidelining you for a season, an Achilles tear is a painful injury that I don’t wish upon anyone! The Achilles tendon is thick, so when it tears, there is a lot to repair. It’s the largest tendon in the body and is absolutely necessary to walk and run. Aside from the tear, there is something called Achilles tendonitis that can ruin your day. If your calf hurts when you’re warming up, or even during the game, you might want to take a time out, stretch well, and do everything you can to loosen that tendon up!
Dislocated Bones:
This is painful, but not as bad as a full break. When you dislocate your shoulder for instance, the bone is out of place, or out of location. To recover, you need to pop the bone back into place. It sounds worse than it is, but it’s still painful. Ever seen Lethal Weapon? Mel Gibson plays a tough cop that has a shoulder problem, and it’s notorious for getting dislocated, and he’s notorious for popping it back into place. That’s just a movie, so don’t dwell on that much longer. Focus on not dislocating anything.
Tennis Elbow:
I’ve had this, and it hurts! I actually got this playing racquetball, and you can get it playing golf and other sports where the elbow is often used. You would be surprised at how something like this can limit your daily routine, especially when one of the tendons in your limb is inflamed and causing discomfort. Stay away from tennis elbow if you can.
Rotator Cuff:
This is a common injury in baseball, tennis, and swimming. Repetitive shoulder movements can agitate your rotator cuff and leave you with a swollen shoulder. This limits your ability to do anything at all. Lifting your shoulder to grab something out of the fridge can be a chore. If you’re reaching for a beer, though, you can definitely fight through the pain!
Muscle Strain:
This is a weird injury, and it can happen at any time, even in the morning as you get out of bed. This isn’t just a sports-related injury; this is an “any day this can happen to me” type of injury. Muscle strain happens when you overstretch or overuse a muscle. It’s not as bad as a full tear, but it can leave you on the bench for a few weeks for sure. Other active movements that can trigger a strain are abrupt directional changes. Think about a football player or a rugby player, those guys can cut on a dime, and that sudden athletic movement can come at a painful price if the conditions are right.
Preventing Injury:
So with all that being said, what can you do to prevent or treat sports-related injuries? One of the most common ways to avoid injury is through proper stretching techniques. Take time, and warm up thoroughly before training or competition day. The body will thank you and reward you by staying injury-free. If you play contact sports, wear the necessary protective gear to keep your body free of injury. Stay hydrated! Hydrate well the night before, before your event, during the event, and after the event.
Treating Injury:
If you get hurt during a game and are unsure of the severity of the injury, sit out and let a medical professional tend to the problem. Often, the injuries are minor but get worse if ignored or not appropriately treated. Make sure you’re prepared, travel with a first aid kit, and always have plenty of supplies available to treat yourself and a teammate. Also, remember the R.I.C.E recovery regimen (Rest – Ice – Compression – Elevation). Everyday items to include in your first aid kit would be bandaids, liquid band aids, Icy Hot, shoulder slings, BodyICE cold wraps, Tylenol, gauze bandages, and alcohol wipes.
Let Your Body Rest:
We know the value of rest for the mind, and the same holds true for the body. Keep an ice pack on your injury. You should apply a fresh bag of ice for 30 minutes, every four hours, or as needed to keep the swelling down. Keep it elevated, and rest well. If it’s an injury to the foot, ankle, or knee, consider a brace or using crutches for a few days. Try to keep pressure off the injury.
Don’t Forget The Doctor:
If the time has passed and you feel you are not recovering, seek medical attention immediately. Your body will tell you if your self-treatment solution is working or not. If ice does not reduce the swelling, and bruising becomes worse around the injury, then see your doctor immediately. They may also offer pain medications to help you recover more comfortably.
FAQ – Questions To Ask Your Doctor:
• Will I fully recover to compete the same as before?
• When should I apply cold wrap? When should I apply a heating pad?
• Will I be susceptible to injury going forward?
• When can I return to sport?
• Does the injury contribute to arthritis?
• Would a sports Doctor be more appropriate than a general practitioner?
• Should I seek physical therapy?
Those are some common questions that are frequently asked, if you have others, make a list and bring them with you. Ask lots of questions, and be open-minded to treatment plans and suggestions from your care provider. The ultimate goal is recovery, and returning to the sports, you love to play.