Sports Injury: Common Injuries and Treatment

What is sports injury?

A sports injury refers to any injury sustained during physical activities, exercise, or daily activities. These injuries can occur due to accidents during sports, overuse of the joints, improper posture and equipment, or insufficient warm-up. 

Despite its name, this condition is not limited to athletes. Anyone who engages in physical exercise is prone to it.

Sports injuries are divided into two general classifications: acute and chronic. 

An injury that occurs suddenly is an acute injury, while chronic injuries are caused by repeated overuse of muscle groups, joints, ligaments, or tendon.

Causes of sports injury

Sports injuries are classified based on their general causes. An acute sports injury is the result of an external force that exceeds the body's strength to withstand. While chronic injuries occur from performing the same movement repeatedly with considerable force.

Here are some common causes of sports injuries, such as:

• Accidents, such as falling, colliding, or sliding when doing physical activity.

• Bad workout habits, such as neglecting to warm up or stretch adequately.

• Improper safety equipment or poorly worn gear before doing physical activity.

• Shoes that don’t fit well or can't provide enough support to the leg.

• A sudden start to an exercise routine or a substantial rise in physical activity that your body isn't used to.

Risk factors 

Anyone is susceptible to a sports injury, but there are various risk factors that can raise your likelihood of getting injured when doing physical activities.

The risk factors for sports injuries include:

• Being out of shape

• Improper technique and posture while exercising. 

• Exercise either too frequently or too long.

• Exercising on uneven or slippery surfaces.

• Having a prior sports injury.

• Participating in contact sports that involve tackling or collisions.

• Participating in activities that involve sudden jumps or changing directions quickly.

• Deterioration of the joints, ligaments, or tendon because of chronic injury, which increases the risk for an acute injury.

Types of sports injury

Actively participating in physical exercise puts tension on ligaments, tendons, and joints, making them vulnerable to injury. There are a few types of sports injuries, such as:

• Bone fracture: 

  • A bone fracture happens when the bone cannot withstand an external force exerted on it.

• Concussion: 

  • A concussion is a type of brain injury that results from an impact to the head.

• Dislocation: 

  • Dislocation occurs when the joints are knocked or pushed out of their socket.

• Tendonitis: 

  • Tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon caused by repetitive movements over time.

• Sprains: 

  • A sprain is an injury to a ligament, which occurs when ligaments are overstretched or torn.

• Strains: 

  • A strain is an injury to muscles or tendons caused by overstretching or tearing.

• Bursitis: 

  • Bursitis occurs when the small, fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that serve as a cushion between bones, muscles, tendons, or skin become inflamed.

Common locations for sports injuries

From the types above, these injuries can be grouped into where they're going to happen. Here are some common locations of sports injuries, such as:

Shoulder Injuries

• Rotator cuff injury: 

  • Rotator cuff injuries are commonly caused by wear and strain of the shoulder tendon, caused by repetitive overhead motions or being injured in an accident.

• Impingement:

  • Shoulder impingement occurs when the top of the shoulder blade (scapula) pinches the rotator cuff beneath it. This injury is caused by repeated overhead movements, such as swimming.

• Instability:

  • Shoulder instability happens when the capsule around the shoulder joint and ligaments become stretched, torn, or detached.

  • This injury causes the ball of the shoulder joint (humeral head) to move entirely or partially out of the socket, potentially causing dislocations.

Elbow Injuries

• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis):

  • Tennis elbow is a condition that occurs when the muscles and tendons in the elbow are overloaded, strained, or injured due to repetitive motions.

• Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis):

  • This condition is an injury to the inner side (medial) of the elbow to the wrist. Golfers and others who repeatedly use their wrists or clench their fingers can develop it. 

• Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL):

  • Repeatedly throwing during sports activities can cause tears to the ulnar collateral ligament on the inner part of the elbow, causing pain, loosening the elbow joint, and decreasing throwing effectiveness.

Knee Injuries

• Patellofemoral pain (runner’s knee): 

  • This injury is characterised by a sensation of discomfort or tenderness beneath the kneecap (patella) at the front of the knee.

• Patella dislocation: 

  • A patella dislocation happens when the kneecap is forced out of its place in the thigh bone, often due to a strong impact, such as a collision or fall. This painful injury misaligns the kneecap, making walking impossible.

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear:

  • An ACL injury is an injury where the anterior cruciate ligament is overextended or twisted. ACL injuries most commonly occur during sports that involve sudden stops or changes in direction, jumping, and landing.

• Meniscal tear:

  • A meniscus tear is an injury that happens when the meniscal cartilage in the knee gets torn. This cartilage acts like shock absorbers for your knee, providing cushioning for your bones and knee joint. It can tear after a severe twist or rotation of your knee.

Leg Injuries

• Groin pull: 

  • A groin pull is an injury where the muscles in the thigh and groin are strained or overstretched. This injury occurs when exercising excessive power, abrupt movements, or sudden side-to-side motions.

• Hamstring strain:

  • Hamstring strains occur when one or more of the three muscles along the back of the thigh are overloaded or torn, such as during activities involving sudden stops and starts.

• Shin splints:

  • Shin splints are caused by inflammation of the muscle's attachment along the inside length of the shinbone (tibia), which is the big bone in the front of the lower leg.

Ankle Injuries

• Ankle sprain:

  • An ankle sprain occurs when you roll, twist, or turn your ankle in an awkward way, causing the ligaments to stretch or tear.

  • Signs of an ankle sprain include swelling, bruising, pain, and reduced ability to bear weight on the affected ankle. Pain may increase with movement and standing.

• Achilles tendon rupture:

  • An Achilles tendon rupture occurs when the Achilles tendon experiences a sudden increase in stress or is overextended. This can cause the tendon to experience a partial tear or be fully torn.

Symptoms of sports injury

The symptoms of a sports injury may vary depending on the location and severity of the injury. But in general, there are several common symptoms that you should watch out for, including:

• Severe pain

• Inflammation

• Bruise

• Broken bones

• Limited range of motions

• Joint instability 

• Tenderness

• Numbness in the injured area

• Hearing a popping sound or feeling the joint pop out at the time of injury

• Weakness on the affected body parts.

• Bone or joint deformity.

If you feel that your sports injury symptoms do not improve and get worse over time, request an appointment with our specialists at Thomson Medical for an accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment plan.

Diagnosis of sports injury

To diagnose a sports injury, your doctor will begin by discussing your symptoms and how it happened. The doctor may also ask about any physical activity you do and if you recently increased the intensity of these activities.

They may then review your medical history and conduct a physical examination of the injured body parts to assess their range of motion and stiffness.

In addition to that, to get a better diagnosis, healthcare professionals can perform imaging tests like X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CT (computed tomography) scans to help healthcare providers understand, diagnose, and treat your specific injury.

Treatment for sports injury

When sports injuries occur, proper treatment is crucial for recovery. The severity of the injury determines the treatment approach, which can range from first aid to surgical intervention.

• RICE methods:

  • Rest: Avoid using the injured body parts to prevent further damage.

  • Ice: Apply ice for 20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and pain.

  • Compression: Use an elastic bandage to provide support and limit swelling.

  • Elevation: Keep the injured limb elevated above heart level to minimise swelling.

• Medications:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen can reduce pain and inflammation. But for more severe cases, prescription pain management drugs might be necessary.

• Physical therapy:

  • Techniques like massage, joint mobilisation, and soft tissue work can improve mobility and reduce pain. While tailored exercise programs help restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion to the injured area.

• Surgical interventions:

  • In cases of severe injuries (e.g., torn ligaments, fractures), surgery may be necessary. 

  • Arthroscopic surgeries are commonly used for joint injuries, while open surgeries may be required for complex fractures or severe soft tissue damage.

However, if your pain and discomfort after sports injury persists after non-surgical treatment, you should consult a doctor. Request for an appointment with our specialists at Thomson Medical.

Preventing sports injuries

There is no way to completely remove the risk of sports injuries while taking part in physical activities However, you can lower your risk by taking a few preventative measures, such as:

• Stretching:

  • Before engaging in exercises, don’t forget to warm up stretches to improve flexibility and prevent muscle strains.

• Proper technique:

  • Ensuring the correct technique in any sport can reduce the risk of injury, particularly in sports that involve repetitive motion, lifting heavy weights, and collision.

• Strength training:

  • To prepare the muscles to withstand the physical demands of the sport, muscle-strengthening exercises help prevent injuries such as strains or ligament damage.

  • This strength exercise includes core stability training because a strong core can improve overall balance and coordination, reducing the likelihood of falling when exercising. 

• Proper equipment:

  • Using protective gear such as helmets, pads, and proper footwear in outdoor exercises or contact sports could reduce impact and protect vulnerable areas (e.g., knees, head, ankles).

  • Proper shoes with appropriate support for the sport and playing surface can prevent foot and ankle injuries.

• Rest and recovery:

  • While training is good, overtraining or pushing past your limits can increase the risk of injury. You should allow your body to recover between intense workouts or competitions.

• Hydration and nutrition:

  • Proper fluid intake helps maintain muscle function and prevents cramps or heat-related injuries.

  • A balanced diet rich in nutrients supports muscle repair and overall performance.

FAQ

What is a sports injury?

The term sports injury usually refers to injuries that are typically associated with sports or exercises. However, these injuries can occur in any physically active individual.  

Some common injuries that may happen during physical activity include rotator cuff injury, tennis elbow, and achilles tendon rupture.

What are the top 5 sports injuries?

The top five most common sports injuries include bone fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, tendinitis, and bursitis.

Which sports cause the most injuries?

Sports that include tackling or collisions (such as rugby) as well as those that demand sudden jumps or rapid changes in direction (such as basketball) are more likely to cause sports injury.

These sports can cause strain to the ligaments, joints, or tendons and put a lot of external pressure on the bones.

When should I see my doctor about my sports injury?

Seek immediate medical care if you experience any of the following symptoms after a sports injury:

• Severe pain that doesn’t get better over time.

• Swelling and bruising.

• Limited range of motions.

• Inability to move the affected body parts.

• Deformity in the injured area.

The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations and tailored advice, please consult a specialist at Thomson Medical. Book an appointment with Thomson Medical today.