6 Common Sports Related Injuries

Playing sports can offer the benefit of getting regular exercise while doing something that you love, but sports activities may also put your body at risk. Millions of people each year are affected by sports-related injuries. You can do things to lessen your risk, though there is no way to prevent every sports-related damage. Pre and post sports stretching can help to prevent injuries caused by overuse and straining. It's also important to listen to your body when it tells you it needs to rest. You can seek the advice of an orthopedic surgeon in Debary when sports injuries happen. The injuries you suffer will be impacted by the type of sport you play.

There are two types of sports-related injuries. Chronic injuries develop over time, while acute injuries happen very suddenly. Experts offer the following list of common sports injuries:

Broken bones

Sudden force being applied to a bone will cause a fracture. Fractures can happen when playing almost any sport. Tenderness, swelling, numbness, and sudden, severe pain are all symptoms of a broken bone. If you notice you're not able to move a part of your body, and it just doesn't look right, you may have a broken bone, which is an acute injury.

Achilles tendon injuries

The Achilles tendon is the thick, corded tissue connecting your heel to your calf muscle. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body, and it helps you be able to walk. The most common injury to the Achilles tendon is Achilles tendonitis. People who play sports that require a lot of running often experience Achilles tendonitis. Suddenly being more involved in a sport, not wearing the correct shoes, or not stretching enough before play time can cause Achilles tendonitis. If you notice that your heel or calf hurts when walking or running, you may have Achilles tendonitis. If your Achilles tendon is warm to the touch or you experience swelling in the area, these are symptoms of Achilles tendonitis. Achilles tendonitis injuries can be both chronic and acute.

Dislocations

It can be challenging to know the difference between a dislocation and a broken bone. When the ends of your bones are moved out of normal positioning, this is a dislocation. Basketball, football, and soccer are sports that have common dislocation injuries. Dislocation is an acute injury that can cause swelling, pain, and limited movement in the injured area.

Little League elbow

Also known as little leaguer’s elbow, this condition involves the growth plate of the elbow in young adults and children. Baseball players often experience little league elbow. Chronic inflammation of the growth plate happens when stress is put on the elbow over and over from throwing a ball. Ulnar collateral ligament injury is another similar condition that adults can experience. Pain on the inside of the elbow, especially when throwing, is the main symptom of this condition. This chronic injury causes pain to increase with every consecutive throw.

Rotator cuff injuries

The rotator cuff is an area inside the shoulder that keeps your shoulder stable and helps it move. Repetitive actions commonly cause injuries to the rotator cuff. For example, baseball players, swimmers, and tennis players often experience rotator cuff injuries. This chronic injury causes pain when reaching behind your back and lifting your arm. In addition, it is characterized by shoulder swelling.

Runner's knee

Runner's knee is another injury caused by repetitive motion. This injury is common for people who do a lot of biking, walking, general knee bending, or running. A hard bump to the knee or other knee trauma can cause runner's knee. A grinding sensation when bending your knee or swelling in the area are symptoms of this injury.

Runner's knee injuries can be both chronic and acute.If you are experiencing pain from a sports-related injury, it may be time to talk to a sports medicine specialist like an orthopedic surgeon in Debary. Sports injuries are common, but they do not have to ruin your life.