Sports injuries are very frequent for those who practice sports both at an amateur and professional level.
According to a study, on average, about 300,000 injuries are recorded per year, although a very high percentage of these injuries (about 70%) do not need hospital care.
Injuries and traumas can be of different types: from those caused by contact, or by actual collisions, to those caused by muscular effort, the type of sport practised can have a decisive impact.
In which activities are sports injuries more frequent
In sports involving contacts, such as football, rugby, or boxing, accidents can easily occur due to accidental collisions. But not only that: muscle strains and sprains are also quite frequent.
In particular, football and five-a-side football would seem to be those in which there is the greatest number of accidents and injuries, also in relation to the fact that they are widely practiced both at an amateur and professional level.
On the other hand, in other types of sports that require high muscular effort, such as running, high jump, or basketball, trauma can occur in the form of muscle injury, regardless of contact with other players.
According to a study, injuries also seem very frequent in sports such as badminton, squash, tennis, weightlifting, gymnastics and in combat sports.
What are the most frequent sports injuries?
The types of injuries are very numerous and different from each other in relation to the part of the body affected, the sport practiced, and the cause that generated it.
Depending on the type of sport practiced, the part of the body most prone to injuries changes: in football, for example, the ankles and knees are the joints in which it is easier to get injured in percentage terms, while those who practice tennis suffer more easily on the shoulder or elbow.
Sprains
A sprain is an injury to a joint due to excessive stretching of the ligament. The joints most frequently affected are the shoulder, knee, and ankle and usually occur following a sudden movement, which causes a twist.
The sprain can occur during the sporting activity due to a fortuitous collision, a fall, or an incorrect athletic gesture, for example, kicking the ball in an uncoordinated way.
It typically presents with severe pain, swelling, difficulty moving the affected limb, and warmth.
The rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament
One of the most common injuries is that of the anterior cruciate ligament. It is a fibrous tissue, which runs through the knee and which is responsible for managing the stability of the knee, allowing at the same time flexion and rotation.
This type of injury occurs very frequently during a sporting activity, in conjunction with a sprain. It happens, that is, that the ligament, following an excessive rotation, comes to break totally or partially.
Following this type of trauma, severe inflammation occurs, accompanied by edema, swelling, and inability to move.
Meniscus injury
The meniscus is a small disc of cartilage in the knee that functions as a cushion, allowing the joint to slide. Sometimes, following a sprain trauma, a meniscus tear can occur.
In addition to knee pain, which occurs both at rest and during physical activity, one of the typical symptoms of a meniscus fracture is the sensation of a snap when moving the knee.
Muscle strains and strains
Strains and tears are two different types of muscle injuries. They can occur for two different types of trauma:
- direct trauma, when the muscle stretches excessively due to external intervention, for example, in a game fight;
- indirect trauma, when the muscle stretches and is injured without an external cause, that is, with a simple movement.
However, while in stretching, the muscle fibers stretch too much but do not suffer a real injury; during the tear, the fibers break, causing very acute pain and swelling.
Fractures
During the sporting activity, the fracture almost always occurs following a fall or a violent game fight. It is a rather severe injury that involves a fracture of the affected bone. Depending on the type of fracture and the affected part, it may require immobilization for a minimum of twenty days. In severe cases, it may require surgery to reposition the bones to their original position.
How to prevent and treat injuries
Undoubtedly, prevention is essential to avoid injuries, both for experienced athletes and those who practice sport in an occasional or amateur way.
To prevent accidents, it is advisable to:
- Do not go beyond your means and pay attention to the signals of the body: when you are too tired, you are much more at risk of falls or injuries;
- Stretch regularly to keep muscles and ligaments supple and well-trained. In particular, do a good warm-up before each sports session;
- Train properly before a sporting performance;
- Be followed by an expert with a specific sports program to avoid exaggerated efforts.
How to cure sports injuries
Although some injuries can be very serious and severe enough to require lengthy and complex treatment, fortunately, they can be treated more easily in most cases.
However, it is always good to contact your Pain Management Specialist or team doctor, who will discuss to understand exactly what the nature of the injury is in order to find the right treatment.
The sooner you approach the Specialist after an injury, the more likely you will have a complete recovery.
Dr. Munsih Lal’s approach is non-invasive and helps to decrease the use of anti-inflammatories for pain management. Contact today to book your appointment.