Sports are an excellent way to keep in top shape and health. However, playing sports isn’t without risks. Most sports injuries occur because of accidents, poor form or technique, and incorrect gear use. No matter the cause, it’s still best to prevent injuries and be prepared for them if they occur. One of the best ways to do this is by knowing the most common sports injuries.
Chronic vs. Acute Injuries
There are two kinds of sports injuries: acute and chronic. Acute injuries occur suddenly because of an immediate event, like an impact or a fall. A few examples of these are sprains and fractures. Conversely, chronic injuries develop over time. They can be the result of making the same movement repeatedly, putting stress on one part.
Most Common Sports Injuries
1. Sprains And Strains
Sprains occur when you stretch or tear a ligament. It’s a type of acute injury that affects the connective tissue in your joints that attaches bone to bone or cartilage. Common places affected by sprains include the knees, ankles, and wrists.
Strains are similar but affect muscles and tendons instead. The most common locations for strains are the back and the hamstrings, although it can happen to any muscle group.
Acute strains and sprains typically occur because of an impact, fall, twist, or improper form during sports. Chronic injuries can also occur due to incorrect form but are almost always due to repetitive movement.
If you’ve sprained or strained a joint, you might experience the following signs and symptoms:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Limited movement
- A “popping” sound or feeling when the injury occurred
Sprains and strains are usually mild and treatable at home. However, severe pain, continued limited mobility, and numbness can be a sign of additional damage that may need the attention of an orthopedic doctor.
2. Knee Injuries
Your knee is the largest joint in the human body, and its movement is crucial in many sports skills. The constant use of it often leads to a rise in sports injuries to the knee. Athletes put a lot of stress on the joint when they jump, suddenly stop, twist, and turn as they move around. Some examples of chronic knee injuries include runner’s knee and shin splints. Both of these injuries are the result of heavy and repetitive knee impacts.
Despite the frequency of knee injuries, they aren’t always difficult to treat. Medicine today has plenty of options for almost every type of injury, and those affecting your knees are no exception.
3. Achilles Tendon Injury
Your Achilles tendon can be injured from repetitive jumping and sprinting. It is the largest and strongest tendon in the body and experiences large amounts of stress from most movements. Fortunately, there are many options for therapy and treatment for this sports injury.
4. Fractures
Bones are durable. However, with enough force and stress, anyone can get a broken bone, especially while playing full-contact or high-impact sports. Fractures can happen in the arms, legs, and even the head. There are multiple kinds of fractures, including:
- Open or Compound — the fracture breaks the skin
- Closed — the skin remains unbroken
- Complete — the break goes through the bone
- Partial — the break doesn’t go all the way through the bone
- Displaced — the broken bones create a gap
- Stress Fractures — small breaks or cracks develop along the bone
Fractures, especially closed ones, are often confused with sprains. Some key symptoms are limited movement, severe pain, and swelling. You may also notice the affected area has a bump or is unusually twisted.
Most breaks are acute, but some, like stress fractures, happen due to frequent and repetitive stress on that specific bone. Stress fractures typically occur in the lower leg, especially the shins and feet.
Treatment for Sports Injuries Near Dallas, Fort Worth, and North Texas Regions
From sprains to fractures, sports injuries can affect your ability to play sports and go about your daily life. Every sport has its risks. While the human body is durable and has many ways to repair itself, it’s typically best to see an orthopedic doctor and ensure that your injuries heal correctly.
All-Star Orthopaedics is committed to giving you the best possible care. We’re here to help you continue living a healthy, active lifestyle. We have medical teams that specialize in sports medicine. We also offer treatment for conditions affecting the foot and ankle, hand and wrist, spine, and other orthopedic conditions. We tailor each treatment to your injury.
All-Star Orthopedics is convenient to Dallas, Fort Worth, and regions in North Texas. We have locations in Southlake, Flower Mound, and Irving, Texas. We welcome you to ask questions and schedule an appointment at the location closest to you. Together, let’s keep working toward an active and healthy lifestyle!
