Every time a professional athlete steps on the playing field, there will always be a risk of injury with the potential for a career-ending one. That is why athletes spend a lot of time training their body to reduce the risk of sports injury. They also take ample precautions such as warm-up exercises before and after each sports activity to minimise the chances of injury.
See: Sports Physiotherapy and Injury Management
If professionals take these necessary steps to prevent sports injuries, you as a sports enthusiast also need to know the risk when engaging in physical activities, especially contact sports.
Here are the Top Five most Common Sports Injuries that you need to know:
1. Muscle Strain
Also known as a pulled muscle, a muscle strain occurs when the muse is torn or overstretched due to intense physical activity or improper use. Strain can happen to any muscle in your body but the hamstring, lower back, neck and shoulder muscles are the most common. Symptoms of muscle strain include soreness, limited range of movement, swelling, stiffness and some spasms.
To prevent muscle strains, it is important that you warm up properly before any physical activity. You should also be careful not to overextend your movement. You should consult a physiotherapist immediately for both acute and chronic muscle strains to ensure the quickest recovery possible.
2. Ankle Sprain
One of the most common sports injuries is the ankle sprain. This injury happens when you accidentally twist or turn your ankles from falls, slips, rolls and other types of impact. These push the range of your ankles over the limit which causes the ligaments that hold your ankle bones and joints together to tear or stretch. Symptoms include pain, swelling, tenderness and inability to put weight on the sprained ankle.
Most ankle sprains are not serious and will heal on their own. However, the injured ankle may not be as stable as before. A physiotherapist can prescribe exercises that can help strengthen the ankle muscles and return your normal balance.
3. Shin Splint
Shin splint is the common name for medial tibial stress syndrome, which refers to the pain at the shin bone. This injury is caused by the repetitive and excessive force on the shin bone and the tissues and muscles that surround it. People who engage in stop-start sports such as basketball, tennis and soccer are most likely to develop shin splints. Symptoms of shin splints include a dull ache or pain in the front part of the leg, either side of the shin bone and along the inner part of the lower leg.
4. Fractures
A fracture is a broken bone that ranges from a simple crack to multiple complete breaks. Fractures are caused by an intense force that is more than the bone could handle. This injury is accompanied by intense pain in the affected area that gets worse when you touch it or move. Acute fractures can be easily diagnosed as there may be visible deformity in the area. Fractures can also develop from repetitive stress over time.
Once a fracture is healed, you will need physical therapy to regain the mobility of the injured area.
5. Dislocation
A dislocation occurs when a bone in the joint area slips or pops out of position. This type of injury is usually caused by a sudden impact common in contact sports like basketball or football. A dislocation is easy to spot and the area may be swollen and bruised. Treatment for a dislocation is usually repositioning into the correct position. You will need a physical therapist to improve your mobility when it heals.
Recovering from sports injuries?
Schedule a physiotherapy session with our professional physiotherapists at PPS Physiotherapy. Call us on (02) 9871 2022 or visit us at Suite 4, 7 Lloyds Ave Carlingford for more information.
