Sports injuries

Sports injuries are injuries that occur in athletic activities or exercising. They can result from acute trauma, or from overuse of a particular body part.

Types of Sports Injuries

There are two types of sports injuries: acute injuries and chronic injuries. Acute injuries occur suddenly when playing or exercising. Sprained ankles, strained backs, and fractured hands are acute injuries. Chronic injuries happen after you play a sport or exercise for a long time.

Acute Injuries

Acute injuries include:

• Sprains: A sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament, the band of connective tissues that joins the end of one bone with another. Sprains are caused by trauma such as a fall or blow to the body that knocks a joint out of position.

• Strains: A strain is a twist, pull, or tear of a muscle or tendon, a cord of tissue connecting muscle to bone. They are often caused by an abrupt, awkward movement.

• Fractures: A fracture is a break in the bone that can occur from either a quick, one-time injury to the bone (acute fracture) or from repeated stress to the bone over time (stress fracture).

Chronic Injuries

Chronic injuries include:

• Tendinitis: Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon caused by repetitive overuse or age-related wear and tear. It's most common in wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles.

• Stress fractures: Stress fractures are tiny cracks in a bone that occur over time because of repetitive, excessive force.

Prevention

Prevention of sports injuries can involve warming up properly before activity, using appropriate equipment, and not pushing the body past its limits. Regular physical therapy or conditioning can also reduce the risk of injury.

Treatment

Treatment of sports injuries depends on the type and severity of the injury. Usually, the RICE method is recommended: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. In some cases, surgery may be required.

See Also

• Physical therapy
• Exercise physiology
• Sports medicine