Did you know that there are over 1.5 billion people who play sports across the globe? If you are one of the many people who play sports in the hope of gaining important fitness benefits and having fun, it’s important that you take care of your body.
While sports are most beneficial and fun, they can also lead to sports injuries if proper attention is not paid to avoiding them. So today we have created this basic guide on common sports injuries to help you keep an eye out for them and hopefully recover from them quickly.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is a common overuse injury that occurs when the tendons in your elbow are stressed from repetitive motions, such as tennis strokes. The tendons become inflamed, causing pain and tenderness on the outside of your elbow. Tennis elbow is most often seen in tennis players, but it can also occur in golfers, baseball players, and others who use their arms for repetitive motions.
Treatment for tennis elbow typically includes rest, ice, and physical therapy.
Swimmer’s Shoulder
There are many types of injuries, but shoulder pain is one of the most common complaints among swimmers. There are several shoulder injuries that can occur from overuse or poor technique, but the most common is the swimmer’s shoulder. This is a condition that results from the repetitive motions of swimming and can cause pain and stiffness in the shoulder.
A swimmer’s shoulder is often treated with physical therapy and exercises that stretch and strengthen the torn muscles around the shoulder. Check out IASTM benefits here.
ACL Tears
There are many common sports injuries, but one of the most serious is an ACL tear. The ACL is the anterior cruciate ligament, and it connects the femur to the tibia. An ACL tear can occur when there is a sudden change in direction, stopping suddenly, or landing from a jump incorrectly.
This can lead to pain, swelling, and instability in the knee. If you suspect you have an ACL tear, it is important to see a doctor right away. Surgery is often needed to repair the ACL, and rehab can take several months.
Patellar Tendonitis (“Jumper’s Knee”)
Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee) is a condition where the tendon that connects the kneecap to the shin bone becomes inflamed and damaged. This condition is often seen in athletes who participate in high-impact sports such as basketball, volleyball, and track and field.
Symptoms of patellar tendonitis include pain and tenderness in the knee, stiffness, and weakness. The condition can be treated with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
Shin Splints
This condition is often caused by repetitive impact on the shin bone and surrounding tissues and can be extremely painful. The good news is that shin splints can be treated relatively easily with rest, ice, and pain medication. However, if the condition is left untreated, it can lead to more serious problems such as stress fractures.
If you think you may have shin splints, be sure to see a doctor and get a proper diagnosis.
More About Common Sports Injuries
Experiencing any of these common sports injuries? Contacting a sports injury specialist should be your first step. They will be able to give you a more specific rehabilitation program to follow.
However, the general rehabilitation process should always begin with RICE: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
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