What Are The Common Sports Injuries?

The term "sports injury" describes the different injury types that are most frequently sustained while participating in sports or exercising, though they are not only experienced by athletes. Sports-related injuries can range in severity from relatively minor ones like sprained ankles to more serious ones like head or neck injuries. 

Sports-related injuries affect close to 2 million people annually, many of whom are otherwise healthy and require care in emergency rooms. 

Common sports injuries include:

1. Sprains and strains
2. Fractures 
3. Ligament tears
4. Rotator cuff injuries
5. Back injuries
6. Shin splints
7. Concussions 
8. Dislocations
9. Achilles tendon injuries

• Sprain:

Stretched or torn ligaments are what cause sprains. Bones are joined together at joints by tissues called ligaments. A sprain may result from a fall, a twist, or a blow to the body. Ankle and wrist sprains are the most common sprain injuries. Symptoms include joint immobility, pain, swelling, and bruising. 

• Strain:

A stretched or torn muscle or tendon is known as a strain. Muscle and bone are joined together by a tendon. A strain can be brought on by twisting or pulling these tendons. Strains may manifest suddenly or gradually. There is a high incidence of muscle strains in the back and hamstrings. Sporting activities frequently result in sprains. Muscle spasms, pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the muscle are some symptoms.

• Ligament Tears: 

The components of the knee joint include bone, cartilage, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and fluid. You have knee issues if any of these structures are damaged or hurt. Knee issues can also result from injuries to the tendons and ligaments. A sudden twisting motion can cause an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which happens frequently. Sports injuries to the knee, including those to the ACL, are common.

• Fractures:

A broken bone is called a fracture. A compound fracture or open fracture occurs when the broken bone pierces the skin. Car accidents, slips and falls, and sports injuries are the most frequent causes of fractures.

A fracture may present with severe pain, deformity, swelling, bruising, or tenderness in the area of the injury, as well as numbness and tingling.

• Rotator Cuff Injuries:

The shoulder joint contains the rotator cuff. It comprises several muscles and tendons that work together to maintain the stability of the upper arm's top bone in the shoulder socket.

Injuries like lifting heavy objects or falling on an outstretched arm can cause rotator cuff tendon tears to develop gradually over time. A partial tear only penetrates a portion of the tendon, whereas a full tear penetrates the entire tendon.

• Back Injuries:

With almost every sport, the back and spinal column experience some degree of stress. This stress can build up over time and lead to inflammation in the muscles and surrounding vertebrae, occasionally injuring the discs and frequently resulting in upper or lower back pain. There are times when a sudden, jarring impact can also result in a serious back injury.

• Dislocations: 

A dislocation of a joint occurs when the ends of the bones are forced out of their proper place. A fall or blow, or even engaging in a contact sport, is the main cause of dislocation. Dislocated joints are typically swollen, excruciatingly painful, and clearly out of alignment. A dislocated joint requires immediate attention.

• Concussion: 

A concussion is a brain injury brought on by a blow to the head that is severe enough to momentarily impair brain function. Concussions can be extremely serious and call for urgent medical care.

• Achilles Injuries:

The Achilles tendon may rupture if you stretch it too far. The back of your lower leg is injured when the achilles tendon ruptures. It mostly affects people who engage in recreational sports, but it can affect anyone.

• Shine Splints: 

Shin splints are caused by overusing the muscles, tendons, or shin bone during excessive activity or increased training. Most often, the exercise involves repeatedly exercising your lower legs with high impact. For this reason, shin splints are a common injury among runners, dancers, and gymnasts. 

Conclusion

Taking the necessary safety measures is crucial if you want to avoid suffering a sports-related injury. Injury prevention techniques include warming up and stretching before participating in a sport, as well as wearing the appropriate protective equipment. Furthermore, it's necessary to recognize the warning signs of an injury and seek medical help from the experts if necessary.