What are the common sports injuries, and how can you treat those?

Anyone who has ever participated in sports has almost certainly had an injury. Playing sports are often physically demanding, requiring our bodies to withstand various stresses and traumas. 

There are several typical sports injuries in the field of athletic effort. Regardless of how fantastic in shape you keep yourself in, you’re bound to get hurt and this is when you would need physiotherapy in Calgary.

Common sports injuries you need to know.

Knee injuries.

Knee injuries are the most prevalent sports injury among players. Due to the stress imposed on these joints by sprinting, jumping, kicking, or immediate impact, knee injuries are particularly frequent in sports, including football, basketball, soccer, and baseball. Knee injuries can cause various symptoms, ranging from moderate pain caused by inflammation to serious ligament or cartilage damage or tears. 

Major knee injuries like anterior cruciate ligament rips or soft tissue injuries behind the kneecap can keep players off the field for months. Treatment methods for knee injuries vary depending on the kind of injury and its severity.

Sprains and strains. 

Sprained ligaments and strained muscles are other typical sports injuries you face during nearly any physical activity. Sprains are caused by pushing or ripping a ligament, whereas strains are caused by pulling a muscle. A stretch occurs when a rapid movement strains the tendon beyond its typical maximum length, causing inflammation and discomfort. When a tendon or ligament tears, it separates. Pulling a muscle generates tension, edema, and inflammation when stretched beyond its natural length.

Ankle and hamstring strains are two of the most prevalent forms of sprains and strains that plague athletes. A slight sprain might result in stiffness, pain, and limping, but a severe sprain implies your ligaments or tendons have been destroyed. 

Resting the injured area, taking over-the-counter pain medicines for temporary pain relief, and stretching exercises are all possibilities for treating these injuries. If conventional pain management therapies are ineffective, orthopaedic surgery to repair your injured ligaments or tendons may be required.

Dislocation of joints.

When one or more bones of a joint are forced out of their natural socket, a dislocation occurs. Dislocations are common in football and other sports, but they can also be caused by extending too far. The most often affected areas with this type of injury are the hands and fingers, although dislocations can also occur in the shoulders, knees, hips, and elbows. 

A dislocated joint requires prompt medical attention to realign it. If the soft tissue around the afflicted joint is injured, it might cause lingering pain and other symptoms. If you have a dislocated joint, see your doctor or go to an urgent care facility right away to have it reset and avoid long-term harm.

Shin splints.

Shin splints are a frequent running problem, especially those who run on concrete or other hard surfaces. This form of injury produces discomfort in the lower leg, usually on the outside area where the shape of your bone may be seen. 

Shin splints normally cure on their own with at-home therapies, including resting, icing the afflicted area, and using over-the-counter pain relievers. If your shin splint pain persists despite these treatment options, you should seek medical attention. Shin splint discomfort can also be caused by a stress fracture, which takes significantly longer to heal.

Also Read: How Can Sports Physiotherapists Help Athletes Lead A Successful Professional Career?

Stress fractures.

When one or more bones are broken due to a specific incident, such as being tackled in football or falling while jogging, an acute fracture occurs. Stress fractures develop when you repeatedly stress one or more bones over time while participating in sports like tennis or volleyball. 

Fractures require immediate medical care to avoid further complications. Severe fractures or complete breaks may necessitate surgery to restore bone function.

How to treat sports injuries?

PRICE treatment.

Minor injuries like moderate sprains and strains can typically be treated at home for two or three days utilising PRICE (protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation) treatment. 

Pain killers.

Pain relievers like paracetamol can be used to aid with discomfort. Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines can also be useful as pills or lotions to relieve pain and swelling. 

Immobilisation.

By limiting mobility, immobilisation can sometimes help avoid future harm. It can also help with muscular spasms, edema, and discomfort. Slings, splints, and casts, for example, can be used to keep damaged arms, shoulders, wrists, and legs immobilised while they heal. 

If you have a sprain, you don’t need to be immobilised for long, and you should try gently moving the injured joint as soon as you’re able to do so without suffering substantial discomfort.

Physiotherapy for sport injuries.

Physical therapy may help some patients who are recovering from a long-term injury. It’s a specialised therapy that uses massage, manipulation, and exercises to enhance range of motion, strengthen surrounding muscles, and restore the affected area’s normal function. A physiotherapist can also design an exercise regimen to improve the damaged body area and limit the chance of recurrence.

Surgery.

Most sports injuries may not necessitate surgery, but some serious injuries may require treatment, such as fractured bones. Manipulation or surgery to repair the bones using wires, plates, screws, or rods may be necessary. 

In certain circumstances, misplaced bones can be realigned without surgery. Other injuries may necessitate surgery on rare occasions. A ruptured knee ligament, for example, could require surgery.

Also Read: How Do Professional Athletes Recover Faster After An Injury

Injections.

A corticosteroid injection may be required if you have severe or chronic inflammation. It can help alleviate pain caused by your injury, while pain relief may be minor or only last a short time for some people. 

A corticosteroid injection can be repeated if required, but you’ll normally be limited to two or three treatments each year. Skin thinning, fat loss and infection are all possible side effects. The doctor who is treating you will be able to go over the potential side effects with you in further detail.

Gradual recovery. 

Complete recovery can take anything from a few weeks to a few months or more, depending on your injury. You should try to avoid doing normal activities until you’ve fully recovered.

Gentle exercises should enhance the range of motion in the affected region. Begin with mild stretching exercises before progressively moving to other things.