The Most Common Sports Injuries and How to Avoid Them

One of the essential elements of a balanced and healthy lifestyle is staying active.

And what better way to stay active than to participate in a sport?

Sports activities build muscular strength, improve your breathing, and are good for your heart and overall wellness.

However, with increased physical movement, there are some common sports-related injuries you should take measures to prevent.

Strains & Sprains

Sprains affect the ligaments, whereas strains affect the muscles and tendons that directly attach to the bone.

By far, the most common sports-related injury is strains. Strains and sprain injuries occur when the muscles and tendons stretch and extend excessively.

Sprains are typically caused by falling or twisting motions near a joint. They are common within foot and ankle sports injuries varying in severity.

The best way to prevent foot and ankle sports injuries is through proper footwear to support your ankles, preventing potential fall-related injuries.

Another common strain is the hip flexor strain in the muscles on the front of your upper thighs from the knee up. These hip injuries in sports increase if you typically remain stationary but begin participating in sports like sprinting, climbing, or stop-and-go sports, which increases the likelihood of injury due to weakened muscles.

To prevent hip injuries in sports, be sure to do proper stretches before and after activity. Stay consistent in movement, and as with any psychical exercise…take time to rest.

Concussion

Head injuries in sports commonly occur by intense direct impact to your head that temporarily affects brain activity.

Concussions are typical in contact sports such as football or soccer. They range and severity with symptoms including headache, dizziness, and in some cases, loss of consciousness.

If you have suffered an injury to the head, seek medical attention immediately. This injury should be taken seriously as you can suffer long-term issues if not treated by a doctor.

The best prevention of this common head injury in sports is to avoid contact-related sports or wear a helmet.

Shoulder & Elbow Injuries

Most shoulder and elbow injuries result from overuse or strain caused by repetitive sports such as tennis, baseball, or pickleball.

Over time this injury can worsen, and without proper care, this injury can result in surgical treatment, so it should be taken seriously.

The best prevention for shoulder and elbow injuries is to consistently participate in warm-up muscle stretches before and after.

Your doctor can prescribe you anti-inflammatory medicine to lessen swelling after this injury has occurred.

Knee Injuries

Knee injuries in sports commonly occur due to improper technique or poor flexibility, but in some cases, are out of your control if you have flat feet, high kneecaps, or high arches, making you more prone to knee injuries.

Some knee injuries in sports happen through sudden trauma (a fall or harsh hit), but others can occur over time, such as “runner’s knee,” that develops more slowly with consistent running over time.

Prevention for this knee injury includes rest and icing of the knee after the initial injury or if swelling and soreness occur.

Prevent Injury: Take Care of Your Body!

Although we have listed some ways to prevent sports-related injuries, Flagler Health+ Orthopedic Specialists, Dr. Garrett Schwarzman says the best way to avoid injuries is to listen to your body! Recognize when you need rest or feel pain.

· Drink Water: Dehydration makes you more susceptible to injury.

· Warm Up/Cool Down: This will reduce muscles soreness.

· Use Proper Equipment: This is essential to avoiding injury.

· Exercise Regularly: Condition your body for activity but don’t overdo it.

We cannot overstate the importance of proper rest, hydration, and the value of proper stretches before and after participating in any sports activity.

When to Call Your Doctor…

If you are suffering from a sports-related injury, keep in mind that although home remedies can relieve pain temporarily, if your pain is consistent or you are suffering from a head injury, always seek out your local physician.

If you are regularly involved in sports activities, creating a relationship with an orthopedic specialist will help prevent some injuries and prepare you for many others. The physicians at Flagler Health+ are uniquely specialized to ensure the highest level of care and treatment is provided for every patient’s individual needs.