Top Common Sports Injuries - Prevention and Treatment

Top Common Sports Injuries

Top Common Sports Injuries - Prevention and Treatment

Anyone involved in sports has likely suffered an injury of one kind or another. Sports tend to be physically demanding, requiring our bodies to endure many forms of stress and trauma.

Every athlete knows that playing a sport comes with the risk of injury, especially if you’re overexerting yourself or not conditioning your body as much as you should. While each sport presents its own set of risks, some common injuries can affect essentially any athlete — from a professional to a weekend warrior.

To keep yourself safe and healthy, here are some of the most common sports injuries you should know.

Runner’s Knee

Knee injuries are among the most common sporting injuries treated by orthopedic surgeons. Replacing your runnings shoes and insoles regularly is one of the best forms of prevention. Following an injury, take a break from exercise for a few days and take anti-inflammatory medicine.

Tennis Elbow

This injury often occurs when the tendons in a person’s forearm become inflamed, causing pain and a lack of grip. Typically, tennis elbow can be treated using a combination of ice, rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and strengthening exercises.

Shoulder Injury

Shoulder injuries are common in several sports. The best form of prevention is to stretch properly before exercising. Again, taking a break and using anti-inflammatories are effective treatments.

Concussions

Any contact sport, such as football, hockey, or rugby, puts a player at risk for a concussion if they collide with another athlete or take a blow to the head. Athletes should always be examined by a medical professional before continuing to play and, if deemed unable to continue, allow for plenty of rest and a decrease in physical activities.

Pulled Muscle

The most commonly pulled muscles include calves and hamstrings. Prevention is as simple as stretching correctly. Treat with RICE and gentle stretching.

Groin Strain

Athletes typically suffer this type of injury when making a sudden change of direction while running. This is one of the worst sports injuries and is another case when stretching is the best advice for prevention. To heal from pulling your groin, take it easy for weeks, and use RICE and anti-inflammatory medications.

Shin Splints

Shin splint pain is caused by inflammation of the muscles surrounding the inner side of the shinbone. Wearing good shoes and stretching is going to be the best prevention. Apply ice to the injury, stretch, and take anti-inflammatories.

Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain can result from any number of sporting activities. Warming up properly is your best bet for prevention, and treat with anti-inflammatories, RICE, and stretching thoroughly.

Sports Injury Treatment in Dallas

The best way to avoid suffering the most common sports injuries is to make sure your body is as prepared. We cannot overstate the importance of stretching, warming up, and hydrating properly.

If you’re experiencing a sports injury, the severity of the problem will dictate whether you’ll be better served in an urgent care clinic or emergency room. ER of Texas offers treatment for both emergency and non-emergency sports injuries in Dallas. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.

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