Sports injuries affect athletes of all ages and levels. Some injuries are minor and can be recovered from quite quickly. Others are more serious and may require treatment by a sports injury clinic. Here, we’ll look at the most common sports injury types, treatment options, and how to prevent sports injuries.
The Most Common Sports Injury Types
Sports injuries can be divided into several categories:
- Acute injuries:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Fractures
- Torn ligaments
- Dislocations
- Chronic injuries:
- Impingement
- Bursitis
- Tendinitis
- Instability
Acute injuries occur as a result of trauma such as a slip or fall, or through bending a joint beyond its range of motion. Chronic injuries can occur as a result of repetitive motions. For example, swimmers are vulnerable to shoulder impingements because of the repeated overhead motion they perform, while tennis players may get elbow injuries from hitting the ball and runners may experience knee injuries due to repeated impacts as their leg hits the ground.
Sports Injury Diagnosis
Some sports injuries are easy to diagnose. Acute injuries with a clear cause such as sprains or strains can be identified quickly. Overuse injuries such as tendinitis and bursitis may require a more thorough examination from a sports medicine doctor to diagnose them. A good sports injury clinic can use diagnostic tools to identify the root cause of an injury.
Prevention of Sports Injuries
While some sports injuries occur due to freak accidents, many are preventable. If your sport uses protective gear, be sure to always wear it. Make a point of warming up properly before starting activities and taking regular breaks. Listen to your body and rest if you’re worried about over-training. In addition, try to vary your activities too. It’s possible to reduce the risk of overuse injury by varying your drills and training so you’re not overloading the body with the same motions every session.
Sports Injury Treatment
Some injuries get better with rest, but a more serious injury may require physical therapy, injection-based therapy or alternative treatments. In some cases, the site of the pain isn’t the root cause of the injury. For example, a knee in jury could be caused by poor gait, and treating pain or stiffness in the athlete’s back could improve their posture and their gait, helping prevent the knee injury from reoccurring in the future.
If you’re struggling with a sports injury, book an appointment to see a sports medicine physician at MAPS. Our sports injury clinic serves athletes at all levels and we have seven locations in the Chicagoland area. Book an appointment with us to see one of our doctors and get on the road to recovery. Our sports medicine physicians can help you get back to the activities you love.
