UNDERSTANDING SPORTS INJURIES

Injury is a part of life and struck us down if we aren't careful to our bodies, whether you are an elite athlete, enjoying playing pickup games, or simply live an active lifestyle.

However, for the most part we can prevent injuries. The most basic way to be properly warmed up and stretched before doing any physical activity and making sure to cool down after exercising.

However, there are certain injuries which tend to be most common than others. I have compiled a list of seven most common sports injuries and talked about the ways to prevent or treat them at your level, so your schedule doesn't get hampered.

The most common sports injuries are : 

physiotherapist in delhi Shoulder Injury

3.    Ankle Sprain

4.    Tennis or Golf Elbow

5.    Pulled Muscle

6.    Lower Back Pain

7.    Groin Strain

1. Runner's Knee

Knee injuries constitute about 55% of total sports injuries and approximately all problems treated by orthopedic surgeons. Torn ligaments and cartilage are very  common injuries, a lot knee problems are classified into the category of "runner's knee," that  comprises a variety of aches and pains allied to the kneecap. Not only runners are victims of these injuries; they can be strike cyclists, swimmers, people who practice aerobics, and basketball, football, and volleyball players.

Prevention and treatment

·         Change shoes and insoles frequently;

·         select a softer running surface ;

·         Plan more rest days between workouts.

If you injure your knee, don't exercise for minimum two or three  days and take an anti-inflammatory medication. After resuming your workout, warm up properly without any negligence and apply ice to your knee for about 10-20 minutes.

2. Shoulder Injury

Shoulder Injuries consists of 20% of sports injuries, including sprains ,dislocations and strains. They are most common in weightlifting, tennis, swimming, volleyball and baseball. Any sport that involves a lot of overhead movement can give rise to spots injuries. These problems are  due to excessive use, which loosens the group of tendons and muscles that surround the shoulder. Slipping in the shoulder , weakness and pain are symptoms of this injury.

Prevention and treatment

·         Strengthen the muscles through weight training.

·         If case you still get injured, then anti-inflammatory medication would be the best immediate treatment.

3.Ankle Sprain

They occur among  basketball, soccer, hockey, and volleyball players. They are almost unavoidable in sports that involve running, jumping and turning rapidly; these movements can lead to twisting ankle and even possibly tearing a tendon.

Prevention and treatment

·         Strengthening ankles by doing exercises such as ankle lifts on stairs.

·         Treat an ankle sprain with RICE and anti-inflammatory drugs.

·         In order to heal your ankle faster, try to move it slowly  to get the circulation going and reduce swelling.

4. Tennis or Golf Elbow

Elbow injuries consist 7% of all the  sports injuries. In Tennis elbow  the tendon starts degenerating because of the backhand strokes in tennis. It causes pain in the outer side of elbow. While Golf elbow, usually affects within the elbow, also this can also attack the outside. The pain that is felt is a result of an inflammation of the epicondyle.

Prevention and treatment

·         Do more of forearm exercises, such as wrist curls, their movements  and squeezing a soft rubber ball to strengthen this area.

·         Enhancing  swing technique and wearing an elbow brace can be very useful.

·         Treatment can be as simple as an anti-inflammatory spray or lotion, however in some cases physiotherapy treatment and a prolonged break from the sport may be necessary

5. Pulled Muscle

Not warming up properly, lack of flexibility, and weakness can cause athletes to pull a muscle. The most commonly pulled muscles are known as hamstrings  and calves .The hamstrings are the muscles behind thighs; pulling them is painful and can even led to bruising.

Prevention and treatment

·         Proper stretching at the start and end of exercising routine helps a lot,

·         Avoid working out when you are tired and sick.

·         As with most injuries, RICE and anti-inflammatory drugs are helpful,

6. Lower Back Pain

Although lower-back pain is very  less common among athletes ,it can affect runners, cyclists, golfers, tennis, and baseball players. Lower back pain are of many types like sciatica, bulging discs or back spasms and  many more . The most common reason for sports-related back pain is simply improper stretching. In the case of runners, even the slightest discrepancy in leg length can cause back pain.

Prevention and treatment

·         Warming up properly before exercising will reduce risk of injury.

·         While sciatica require fast medical treatment, while a simple muscle pull can be treated with an  anti-inflammatory medication and stretching.

7. Groin Strain

A strained groin— the muscles situated in the upper thigh that help to  pull the legs together — generally  happens when you instantaneously change directions while running in soccer, hockey, basketball, football, racket sports, and volleyball. Sharp pain, swelling are symptoms of Groin Strain.

Prevention and treatment

·         Stretching  properly before exercising is important.

·         Slowly escalating the intensity of the activity rather than leaping into the activity too quickly may help prevent injury.

Hope this was helpful to you. However if you have already gotten injured lately or if a certain part of your body is prone to injuries than please do contact me.