Millions of individuals engage in sporting activities globally. These activities help participants improve their physical fitness, wellness, and overall health. However, participating in games and sports can result in minor or critical injuries. Sports injuries mainly result from poor training technique during practice, inadequate equipment, accidents, and overuse of a particular body part. These sports injuries Lawrenceville may affect your bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, depending on the type of injury. Read on to learn more about the various types of sports injuries.
Strains
Muscle strain, also known as muscle pull, occurs when the tendon tissues or fibers of the muscle overstretches or over contract. A tendon is a tough, narrow tissue that connects a muscle to the bone. Symptoms of a strain include muscle weakness, pain, and muscle spasm.
This injury is common in many sports, especially those involving running, jumping, or quick direction changes. You can prevent muscle strains by wearing appropriate footwear and warming up properly before exercise.
Dislocation
A dislocation occurs when the ends of your bones are pushed out of their natural positions. This injury is caused by an auto accident, trauma from a fall, or a collision during contact or high-speed sports.
The shoulder is the most common site of a dislocation injury in adults and the elbow in children. Your thumb and fingers are also vulnerable to this injury if they are forcibly bent in the wrong direction. The injury will temporarily immobilize and deform your joint, causing severe pain and swelling. If you suffer from dislocation, seek immediate medical attention to have your bones realigned.
Sprains
A sprain occurs when one or more ligaments are stretched, twisted, or torn. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that wrap around joints. They connect one bone to another and help to keep your bones together and stable.
Sprains are common in the ligaments surrounding your knee or ankle joints. Typical sprain symptoms include inflammation, bruising, pain, and restricted movement in the affected area. However, most sprains are treatable with rest and anti-inflammatory medication if necessary.
Lower back pain
Low back pain mainly results from spinal muscle strain or ligament injury. Common causes of low back pain include improper lifting during exercise, inconsistent exercising, a fracture, poor posture, and a ruptured spinal disc.
The majority of low back pain resolves on its own within two to four weeks. Your doctor may recommend painkillers and physiotherapy. However, some serious cases may require surgical intervention.
Fractures
Fractures are common, especially in contact sports like rugby and football. These injuries majorly affect the hands, feet, wrists, and collarbones. Fractures are mainly characterized by redness, pain, swelling, and visible bone deformation.
Depending on the severity of the injury, fractures generally prohibit or restrict movement in the affected area for a while. Your doctor will provide treatment based on the type and nature of the fracture. However, the most common solutions include rest, anti-inflammatories, and pain relief medication.
If you have sustained an injury when participating in sports, you should discontinue immediately to prevent further damage. Most minor sports injuries can be treated at home and will heal in a few days. The R.I.C.E. treatment plan (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) provides the best home care. However, if your injury causes severe pain, swelling, or bruising that does not subside after a few days, visit your doctor right away. In some cases, such as a serious fracture or dislocation, surgery may be necessary.
