Types of Sports Injuries
Sports injuries comprise a wide range of issues, and they can be the consequence of a multitude of factors, with a variety of symptoms, but they can be broadly grouped into two categories: acute and chronic injuries.
- Acute Injuries: This kind of sports injury happens suddenly, like when a person falls, receives a strong blow, or impact, or twists a joint.
- Chronic Injuries: These are commonly derived from the repetitive overloading or overuse of a particular area of the body, and can develop gradually over time. In some cases, they can lead or be the result of an acute injury.
Symptoms of Acute Sports Injuries
- Intense bruising or swelling
- Inability to place weight on legs, ankles, feet, or wrists
- Inability to move the joint normally
- Sudden and severe pain
- Notable weakness on an injured limb or joint
- Bones or joints clearly out of place
Symptoms of Chronic Sports Injuries
- Varying degrees of pain when exercising or playing sports.
- Swelling and aches on limbs or joints when resting.
🏃♂️ Related Content: What Is Sports Medicine?
The Most Common Sports Injuries
As previously stated, sports injuries are an issue that’s not exclusive to athletes but can affect anyone who practices any kind of physical activity. Some of the most frequent sports injuries in both athletes and common people are:
- Bursitis: Bursitis is the name given to the swelling or inflammation of the bursae, which are small, fluid-filled sacs serving as cushions between bones and moving parts of our body. It can be caused by a specific event such as a fall or blow, or be the result of repeated motions or prolonged pressure. It mostly affects elbows, shoulders, and knees.
- Sprains: When a ligament stretches so much that it breaks, a sprain occurs. These “breaks” can be partial or complete tears of ligaments, which are the bands of elastic tissue connecting the joints. Areas most commonly affected are ankles, knees, and wrists.
- Strains: A strain consists of the twist, pull, or tear of a muscle, muscle-tendon juncture, or a tendon. Tendons are cords of tissue that connect muscles and bones to each other. Strains can also occur through the constant repetition of certain motions and typically affect muscles or the tendons between two joints.
- Fractures: Typically, a fracture is a break in a bone that can happen as a consequence of a sudden and one-time injury, in which case is classified as an acute fracture, or as the result of repetitive pressure, in which case they are treated as stress fractures.
- Dislocation: When the two bones that comprise a joint get completely separated or dislodged, said joint suffers a dislocation. Physical activities involving a high degree of contact or falls can cause dislocations, and they usually require immediate medical attention. This injury typically affects the shoulders, fingers, elbows, kneecaps, knees, and the femur or tibia.
- Tendinitis: This is the name given to the swelling of a tendon or tendons, and it can be caused by a sudden injury, or through repeated movements of a tendon. Tendinitis usually affects shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles.
Are Sports Injuries Treatable?
Fortunately, the vast majority of sports injuries can be treated, with the severity of the injury determining the type and duration of the treatment. A great number of sports injuries can be safely treated at home with rest, or by icing, compressing, and elevating the affected body parts.
However, severe injuries can require the application of sports medicine, administered by a professional healthcare provider, who can recommend physiotherapy for rehabilitation or the use of a brace, splint, or cast.
Treatment of Sports Injuries in Georgia
At Ashford Orthopedic Specialists we offer the most specialized and committed care you might need for the diagnosis, treatment, or therapy of a sports injury in Georgia, so you can regain your mobility and autonomy.
Welcome to Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, where we are devoted to keeping you strong, one step at a time.
