Sports Injuries – What are the Different Types and How To Prevent Them

Sports injuries are a common occurrence among athletes and they affect several parts of the body such as bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other parts. Non-athletes can suffer from sports injuries if they haven’t been active for a while, played a sport with a physical collision, or didn’t warm up properly before an exercise or a game. Sports injuries range from mild to severe and each one requires different approaches to treatment. They can be acute or chronic and you must be aware of the signs before the injury gets worse. Read on to learn more about different types of sports injuries and how to prevent them.

Types of Sports Injuries

Sports injuries cause different symptoms and complications depending on the type of injury. The most common types are:

  • Knee injuries: any complication in knee movement can be caused by a sports injury. Knee injuries vary from overstretching to tears in the knee’s tissues or muscles.
  • Strains: these occur when muscles or tendons get overstretched or torn. Tendons are cords of tissue that connect the bones to the muscles.
  • Sprains: these happen when ligaments are overstretched or torn. The ligaments are similar to tendons as they are also pieces of tissue but they connect two bones in a joint.
  • Swollen muscles.
  • Fractures: also known as broken bones.
  • Dislocations: when a bone is displaced from the joint.

    Sports Injuries Treatment

    The most common treatment for mild sports injuries is the RICE method, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This method is most effective if applied within 24 to 36 hours after sustaining an injury. Other injuries might require over-the-counter or prescription medications and more severe injuries might require sports therapy or even surgery. It is best to see a doctor who can diagnose the injury and set up a proper treatment plan. Seek out emergency services if you are having a fever, difficulty breathing, or experiencing dizziness as these are all symptoms of serious injuries.

    Sports Injury Prevention

    Sports injuries can’t be prevented completely, yet there are things you can do to reduce the risk of sustaining a sports injury:

  • If you are starting a new exercise or sport, do it gradually. For example, if you want to do some running, start with walking and then jogging before running full speed.
  • If your physique is fragile, choose sports that have less physical contact which often results in collisions and tackles
  • Don’t attempt to work through the pain as it may only make the injury worse. Allow your body to recover after a tiresome exercise.
  • Stretching is essential to avoid sprains and strains. Before and after every workout, do some stretches.
  • Use the right equipment for sports. For example, if you will be doing a lot of running, you must wear running shoes to reduce the risk of sports injuries.
  • Learn the right method for exercises. Doing the wrong movement is one of the main causes of sports injuries.

    Sports injuries are serious and must be treated as soon as possible. Ignoring an injury or working through the pain will complicate the injury and might lead to serious consequences. Cool down after every workout and don't forget to stretch to reduce the risk of injury.