With all the different sports today to be a part of, it’s no wonder there are so many injuries. Children are beginning sports and activities younger and joining multiple sports teams throughout their childhood and teen years. This can lead to multiple injuries. Fox News compiled a series about the top ten most common injuries seen today.
10) Achilles Tendinitis: This is the tendon behind the ankle which can easily become inflamed and painful from strain or overuse, making it virtually impossible to run. This is most commonly seen in athletes whose sport requires continuous running or jumping.
Prevention and/or Treatment: Thoroughly stretching the calf muscles before a game or exercise can greatly reduce injury. After an injury, ice the area, elevate the foot, rest, and try taking an anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID). The injured area should not be used until it is completely healed or you risk another injury or greatly injuring the tendon more.
9) Concussions: A concussion is caused by a blow to the head, leading to swelling and brain injury. Concussions are signified by headaches, dizziness, equilibrium offset, and sometimes a loss of consciousness. Most of the time, concussions are caused by high contact sports including football and soccer
Prevention and/or Treatment: There isn’t much prevention for a concussion if one is involved in a high contact sport. The primary treatment option, besides taking a pain killer for the headaches, is simply rest and refraining from playing any contact sports.
8) Groin Strain: The groin is an adductor muscle lying in the interior of the upper thigh and causes swelling and sharp pains in the inner thigh after injury. The groin muscle is injured during quick movements and direction change in sports including basketball, volleyball, football, soccer, and hockey.
Prevention and/or Treatment: As with the achilles tendinitis, one of the best ways to prevent injury is by thoroughly stretching and strengthening the inner thighs and groin region. After an injury, ice the area, rest, and try taking an anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID). The injured area should not be used for a couple of weeks and iced after each practice, workout, or game until it is completely healed.
7) Shin Splints: Shin splints are caused by overuse, jumping into an exercise too quickly, or jumping/running/landing on hard ground. The pain is normally found on the interior of the shin bone on the muscles surrounding the area.
Prevention and/or Treatment: In order to prevent shin splints, thoroughly stretch the area before use. Make sure your shoes fit well and are still in decent shape. If you already have shin splints, apply ice to the area after use and stretch the area.
6) Lower Back Pain: Lower back pain can be caused by misalignment, bulging discs, and back spasms leading to pain in the lower back, sometimes leading down the legs as well. It is found in virtually any type of athlete as well as those who are inactive.
Prevention and/or Treatment: Stretching is very important to preventing back injury and pain. Some back injuries cannot be prevented, but always warm up the area before use in order to decrease the risk of injury. After an injury, ice the area, rest, and try taking an anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID). Visit a certified athletic shoe store who can test your stance and gait in order to provide you with a pair of athletic shoes best suited for your specific sport and needs.
5) Pulled Muscle: Virtually any muscle in the body can be pulled or strained depending on if the area was not properly stretched, warmed up, or over exerted. The most commonly pulled muscle is the hamstring, located on the back of the thigh, above the knee. However, depending on the sport you are involved in will determine which muscle may be more likely to strain.
Prevention and/or Treatment: In order to help prevent a strained muscle, it is vital to stretch well and properly and warm up the area. If you are already feeling weak, restrain from working the muscle. After an injury, ice the area, rest, and try taking an anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID). Refrain from using the muscle until it is almost healed. When it has healed, stop and stretch the area periodically.
4) Tennis or Golf Elbow: As the name implies, tennis or golf elbow are caused from repetitive swinging motions in tennis or golf. While tennis elbow involves the weakening of tendons in the outside of the elbow due to backhand strokes, golf elbow is pain involved primarily on the inside of the elbow. The epicondyle is the end of distal end of the humerus; when this becomes injured and inflamed, it causes pain where the forearm muscles attach to the humerus.
Prevention and/or Treatment: In order to help prevent injury to the elbow, do forearm strengthening exercises or simply wear an elbow brace. After an injury, an anti-inflammatory medication may be taken along with ice application and rest.
3) Ankle Sprain: Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries and are almost always found in athletics requiring running, jumping, and quick turns such as basketball and soccer. The injury can vary from simply twisting the ankle to tendon or ligament tears.
Prevention and/or Treatment: To prevent an injury, many athletes tape their ankles before practice or a game or wear an ankle brace. Do strengthening exercises to help minimize the risk of injury. You can treat the ankle by applying ice, elevating the foot, taking anti-inflammatories, and resting. To aid in the healing process, the ankle can be gently rotated to increase circulation to the area and aid in healing.
2) Shoulder Injury: Shoulder injuries are common in swimming, weightlifting, and volleyball. A shoulder injury may involve a strain, dislocation, or a sprain. Overuse of the shoulder can lead to weakening of the tendons and muscles surrounding the shoulder. A shoulder injury will cause weakness in the area, pain, and stiffness.
Prevention and/or Treatment: In order to prevent a shoulder injury, stretch well and do strengthening exercises, even in off season. If injured, apply ice, rest the area, and take anti-inflammatories.
1) Runner’s Knee: Of all the sports injuries recorded, knee injuries account for over half of all sports related injuries. Most of the injuries include pain in and around the patella or may be more serious when a ligament or cartilage tears. Overuse of the knee leads to irritation and injury.
Prevention and/or Treatment: Be sure the shoes you are wearing for your sport or activity are the right type of shoes and are a good fit for you depending on your gait and stance. Always stretch well before a workout and try avoiding running on hard pavement. You can do strengthening exercises for your quadriceps. If your knee is injured, do not exercise for at least a few days. Always stretch properly before a workout and apply ice afterwards to the formerly injured area.