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Sports Injuries And Treatments: Everything You Need To Know

Sports Injuries And Treatments: Everything You Need To Know

Did you know that more than 8.6 million people aged 5-24 have a hard time dealing with sports injuries in the United States? 

Yes, the number is that huge. 

Contact sports such as soccer and basketball account for some severe injury episodes as compared to non-contact sports like running and swimming. Sprains and strains have been found to be the most common ones amongst young athletes.

We don’t intend to scare you but to make you realize that your body is ten times more vulnerable to injuries when you play sports. And you have to learn how to defend your body against fatal injuries. Keep on reading to know everything about sports injuries and how to prevent them.

Types of Sports Injuries

Before we dive into preventing and treating sports injuries, you need to know about the different types that can reduce your performance on the field. Here we’ve listed some common sports injuries every athlete should look out for.

Sprains and strains:

As mentioned earlier, sprains and strains are the most common injuries, especially amongst young athletes. But don’t mistake one for another. 

On of sports injuries : sprains and strains.

Medically speaking, ligaments are the tissues responsible for connecting two bones to another joint. And tearing of ligaments or overstretching results in a painful sprain. Strains, on the other hand, are caused due to overstretching or tearing of tendons and muscles. These tendons are thick and fibrous cords of tissues that are responsible for connecting bones to the muscle. 

Achilles tendon rupture:

This is one of the most painful injuries in sports. The Achilles tendon is a thin yet powerful tendon located at the back of the ankle. 

While playing contact sports or practicing vigorous workout sessions, the tendon may break or get ruptured which may cause sudden but severe pain. You may also feel difficulty in walking after experiencing such a severe injury.

Fractures and Dislocations:

Dislocations and fractures also make to the list of common sports injuries.

One of sports injuries : fractures.

Fractures are broken bones, while dislocations occur when the bone is forced out of a socket. Weak or low bone density can be a significant reason why your body could be prone to fractures and dislocation of joints. So, you must take appropriate nutrients and supplements to keep your bones and muscles healthy.

Rotator cuff injury:

The rotator cuff is formed by four pieces of muscles which further helps in the movement of your shoulder. And a tear in any of these four muscles can result in a weak rotator cuff.

Prevention of Sports Injuries

Someone has rightly said, “prevention is better than cure.” If you love sports and want to make a career out of it, you must learn how to steer clear from the injuries. For instance, bending your knees at the right time in some sports can help in avoiding spine or hip injuries.

Here are some other tricks to incorporate in your sports career that might help in dodging some critical injuries. 

Use Proper Gear:

Appropriate gear is your first line of defense against sports injuries. That’s precisely why you shouldn’t skimp on it. Wear the right shoes and have complete athletic protection that covers your face and other parts of the body.

Spruce up on your nutritional intake:

To prevent sports injuries, take healthy food.

Nutrition helps you become stronger from the inside. Protein and fiber-rich foods and sports nutrition supplements might help provide adequate energy and nutrients to your body. They help in supporting our bones and muscles and boost the recovery process. Also, essential nutrients help in optimizing your athletic performance and take really good care of your overall musculoskeletal health.

Don’t overdo anything:

As an athlete, you might want to get better and better every day. That’s good. But too much of everything can cause disastrous effects. Overdoing your exercises and following a vigorous workout routine can elevate your chances of getting hurt. So, make sure you plan your practice and workout sessions in such a way that it doesn’t end up straining your muscles and ligaments.

Diagnosis and Treatment

According to healthcare professionals, many sports injuries can cause severe discomfort that might affect your athletic performance on the field. If left untreated, these injuries might cause long-term damage to your body. Such injuries are often diagnosed during physical examinations and routine checkups. The diagnosis process also involves asking questions about medical history. So, it is better to consult a professional healthcare specialist if you want to get back to the game as soon as possible.

And as far as the recovery process is concerned, there are some things you can try to bounce back to the regular routine.

Take lots and lots of rest:

Doctors advise you to slowly resume your daily activities to keep the body moving. But it doesn’t mean you get on the field right away. You need to take a rest to start and boost the healing process. This is because your doctor might be able to fix your injuries, but your body is still vulnerable and weak. Taking a break from workout and practice sessions can help in speeding up your recovery.

Apply ice on the affected area:

Applying a bag of crushed ice on the injured area can help in relieving pain and prevents swelling.

Applying ice on the affected area.

Caution: Do not apply the ice pack on your bare skin as it might give you frostbite. And you wouldn’t want to deal with that too. Wrap the ice pack in a thin cloth or towel and then apply on the affected area. Make sure you allow your skin to adjust to the temperature by using the pack for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.

Compress to add support:

Healthcare specialists suggest wrapping an elastic bandage firmly around the injury to minimize swelling and preventing the building up of fluids. Compressing your injured area will help in keeping the area immobilized and provide support. Also, it reminds you not to move the affected area often.

Final Words

Injuries are unfortunate parts of sports. It might keep you from playing your favorite sport for a long time. But with the tips mentioned above, you can take good care of your body and injuries and get back in the game in no time.