Participating in sports and physical activities is essential for leading a healthy lifestyle; however, sports injuries are common. These injuries range from minor sprains to severe fractures. Sports injuries can affect the knees, jaw, back, neck, shoulders, hips, ankles, elbows, forearms, and pelvis. This article will discuss the most common sports injuries and their impact.
Knee Injuries
The knee is a complex joint highly susceptible to injuries. The most common types of knee injuries include ACL tears, meniscus tears, and patellar tendinitis. ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears occur when the ligament that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone is torn or ruptured. Meniscus tears occur when the cartilage between the thigh and shin bones is torn. Patellar tendinitis, also known as jumper’s knee, is an overuse injury that causes pain and inflammation in the patellar tendon.
Jaw Injuries
Jaw injuries are common in contact sports such as football, rugby, and boxing. These injuries range from minor cuts and bruises to more severe conditions such as jaw fractures and dislocations. Jaw fractures are a break in the jawbone, and dislocations are when the jaw is displaced from its normal position.
Back and Neck Injuries
Back and neck injuries result from moves that require bending, twisting, or sudden movements. These injuries include muscle strains, herniated discs, and spinal cord injuries. Muscle strains occur when there is a tear or stretch in the muscle, while herniated discs happen when the cushioning between the vertebrae is pushed out of place. Spinal cord injuries can be severe and even life-threatening. They occur when the spinal cord is damaged, affecting the brain’s ability to send and receive messages to the body.
Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries occur in sports that involve throwing, swinging, or lifting. The most common shoulder injuries include rotator cuff tears, shoulder dislocations, and shoulder impingement syndrome. Rotator cuff tears occur when there is a tear in the group of muscles and tendons that attach the shoulder blade to the upper arm bone. Shoulder dislocations happen when the upper arm bone is displaced from the shoulder blade. In contrast, shoulder impingement syndrome is an overuse injury that causes pain and inflammation in the shoulder joint.
Hip Injuries
Hip injuries happen while running, jumping, or twisting. The most common hip injuries include hip fractures, labral tears, and bursitis. Hip fractures occur when there is a break in the hip bone, while hip labral tears happen when there is a tear in the ring of cartilage that surrounds the hip joint. Hip bursitis is an overuse injury that causes pain and inflammation in the bursae, the tiny fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip joint.
Ankle Injuries
Ankle injuries are common in sports that involve running, jumping, or sudden changes in direction. Ankle injuries include ankle sprains, fractures, and Achilles tendonitis. Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments that connect the ankle bones are stretched or torn. Ankle fractures happen when there is a break in one or more of the ankle bones. Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury that causes pain and inflammation in the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone.
Elbow and Forearm Injuries
Elbow and forearm injuries happen in sports that involve throwing, swinging, or gripping. The most common types of elbow and forearm injuries include tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and forearm fractures. Tennis elbow is an overuse injury that causes pain and inflammation on the outside of the elbow. In contrast, golfer’s elbow is an overuse injury that causes pain and inflammation on the inside of the elbow. Forearm fractures occur when there is a break in one or more of the bones in the forearm.
Pelvic Injuries
Pelvic injuries are common in sports that involve running, jumping, or physical contact. The most common pelvic injuries include hip pointer, pubic symphysis dysfunction, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Hip pointer occurs when there is a bruise or contusion on the hip bone, while pubic symphysis dysfunction is an overuse injury that causes pain and inflammation in the joint that connects the two pubic bones. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction happens when there is a problem with the joint that connects the sacrum to the pelvis.
Sports injuries can affect any part of the body. However, the most common sports injuries include ACL tears, rotator cuff tears, ankle sprains, and muscle strains. While some sports injuries can be treated with rest and rehabilitation, others may require surgery. Therefore, you must seek medical attention if you experience pain or discomfort after participating in sports activities. Additionally, taking preventive measures such as warming up before exercise and wearing protective gear can help reduce the risk of sports injuries.
Pin Point Physical Therapy
There are many ways to recover from sports injuries, including physical therapy. The professionals at Pin Point Physical Therapy in Charlotte NC, can work with you to regain strength and flexibility and have you back to your favorite sport as soon as possible. Contact us at 704-612-6797 and schedule an appointment today.
