Exercising and playing sports is great for your health, but it can result in prolonged injuries. Sports injuries can be caused by a number of situations including a heavy fall, not warming up properly before exercising or playing sports, using equipment incorrectly, utilising the wrong type of equipment, or performing repetitive exercises too often.
Most Common Sports Injuries
Some injuries occur far more often than others across different sports. The most common include:
- Ankle sprain
- Groin pull
- Hamstring strain
- Shin splints
- Knee injury: ACL tear
- Knee injury: Patellofemoral syndrome — a sports injury resulting from the repetitive movement of your kneecap against your thigh bone
- Tennis elbow (epicondylitis)
How to Prevent Sports Injuries
Many sports injuries can be avoided with a few sensible habits before and during activity:
- Warming up properly before you exercise – performing stretches to loosen your muscles.
- Trying not to push your body beyond your current fitness level.
- Using appropriate equipment for specific sports, for example running shoes for running, and shin guards for football.
- Receiving coaching to learn correct techniques.
Effective Ways of Treating Sports Injuries
If you do pick up an injury, these measures can help you manage the symptoms and support recovery:
- Apply an ice pack to the affected area.
- Take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol.
- Ensure you are getting plenty of rest.
- Use an elastic compression bandage during the day to limit swelling.
- Keep the injured part of the body elevated – this can reduce swelling.
Advanced Treatment Options
If the treatments above do not help, then IDD therapy is a great solution. IDD therapy is a non-surgical spinal decompression treatment which treats targeted spinal segments. Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is another painless treatment which reduces inflammation and accelerates the healing process; it is also great for inflammation of the joints such as the neck, torso or lower back.
If you have tried a range of treatments and nothing is working, then try shock wave treatment therapy. This type of therapy can achieve excellent results for people suffering from persistent and painful conditions. In many instances there will be an immediate reduction in pain, as well as improved mobility and function. This therapy is non-invasive, non-addictive and there is no need for anaesthesia.
When to See a Specialist
Some injuries need more than rest and home care. Seek professional assessment if you have severe pain or swelling, are unable to bear weight or use the joint, notice obvious deformity, hear a pop at the time of injury, or if the problem is not improving with basic measures. Early expert care helps prevent a minor problem from becoming a long-term one.
Sports Injury Care at Kapadia Hospital
Kapadia Multispeciality Hospital in Goregaon West offers assessment and treatment for a wide range of sports and orthopaedic injuries. Care is tailored to the injury and to your activity goals, whether you are a recreational player or a competitive athlete.
- Evaluation and management of sprains, strains and overuse injuries
- Arthroscopy and ligament repair, including ACL / PCL repair
- Care for knee, shoulder and ankle injuries
- Dedicated football and cricket injury management
- Rehabilitation support to help you return to activity safely
Conclusion
Sports injuries are common, but many can be prevented by warming up, using the right equipment and techniques, and respecting your current fitness level. When injuries do happen, rest, ice, compression and elevation help with most minor cases, while advanced therapies such as IDD therapy, LLLT and shock wave therapy are available for persistent problems.
If an injury is severe or is not improving, consult the orthopaedic and sports injury team at Kapadia Multispeciality Hospital for an assessment and an individual treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes sports injuries?
Sports injuries can be caused by a number of situations including a heavy fall, not warming up properly before exercising or playing sports, using equipment incorrectly, using the wrong type of equipment, or performing repetitive exercises too often.
What are the most common sports injuries?
Common sports injuries include ankle sprain, groin pull, hamstring strain, shin splints, knee injuries such as an ACL tear and patellofemoral syndrome, and tennis elbow (epicondylitis).
How can I prevent sports injuries?
You can lower your risk by warming up properly and stretching before exercise, not pushing your body beyond your current fitness level, using appropriate equipment for the specific sport, and receiving coaching to learn correct techniques.
How are minor sports injuries treated at home?
Minor injuries can often be managed with an ice pack on the affected area, over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol, plenty of rest, an elastic compression bandage during the day to limit swelling, and keeping the injured part elevated to reduce swelling.
What advanced treatments are available for persistent sports injuries?
When basic measures do not help, options include IDD therapy, a non-surgical spinal decompression treatment for targeted spinal segments; Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) to reduce inflammation and speed healing; and shock wave therapy for persistent, painful conditions, which is non-invasive, non-addictive and needs no anaesthesia.
This article is for general awareness only. It does not replace a consultation, examination, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified doctor.