A weekend pickleball game. A morning run before work. A youth baseball tournament. What do all these things have in common? They're among the many ways you or your child can wind up with a sports injury.
Sports injuries typically involve bones, joints, muscles and other musculoskeletal tissues. And they're not just a problem for competitive athletes. Anyone who's active can wind up with an injury that sidelines them from their favorite pastime or even their job.
Sports injuries can happen suddenly. They may also come on gradually due to repeating the same motion, such as throwing a ball or swinging a club. You might have sudden (acute) symptoms or ongoing (chronic) aches and pains.
Some of the more common sports injuries include:
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Knee injuries, such as runner's knee; meniscus tears; and anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, tears.
Nonorthopaedic injuries, such as concussions, are also common during sports.
What treatments are available?
For minor injuries, doctors often recommend treating pain and swelling with RICE:
• Rest. Rest the injured area.
• Ice. Apply a cold pack several times a day.
• Compression. Use a compression bandage to help manage swelling.
• Elevation. Elevate the injury—for instance, prop a sprained ankle up with several pillows so it's above the level of your heart.
You should seek medical attention if these at-home steps don't help or if you have signs of a more serious injury, such as severe pain, swelling or bruising; pain and swelling that last more than a few days; or the injured area's inability to bear weight.
Watson Clinic’s
Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine specialists may first suggest conservative treatments, such as physical therapy or bracing. If these types of treatments don't help enough, they may recommend surgery to help you get back to your active life. Follow-up physical therapy may be necessary to ensure a full recovery.
Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Academy of Pediatrics; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases