The Most Common Sports Injuries and How Athletes Can Prevent Them

If you have played, watched, or been around sports for any length of time, you know there’s a common thread that runs through all sports: injuries. 

While our bodies are incredibly engineered pieces of equipment, they’re also vulnerable to injury at any time. Athletes hate injuries not only because of the pain, but also because they mean time away from the court or field.

At Carolina Joint and Arthritis in Wilmington, North Carolina, our team not only treats injuries with expertise and compassion, but we also work to keep our patients from getting injured in the first place. Here’s more information about the most common sports injuries and how athletes can prevent them.

Sprains and strains

These can occur in almost any athletic activity, so they’re very common. A sprain is the name for a stretched or torn ligament, which usually happens when a sudden movement or twisting motion pulls the ligament farther than it’s supposed to go. A strain occurs when you pull a muscle or stretch it farther than its normal length. Two of the most common injuries are ankle sprains and hamstring strains.

Knee injuries

Your knee sustains a lot of stress and pressure, especially during sports that require running, jumping, and sudden impacts, such as football, soccer, and basketball. Injuries can range from mild tenderness due to inflamed ligaments to major issues such as ACL tears.

Shin splints

Shin splints, or pain along the lower part of your leg, often occur in runners, especially when you’re putting in a lot of miles on a hard surface. Treat them with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. If the pain doesn’t subside, you should be checked for a stress fracture.

Fractures (acute and stress)

An acute fracture happens when a bone is broken as the result of a specific event, such as falling on the field or being tackled in just the wrong way. It usually requires immediate medical attention so it will heal correctly. A stress fracture happens due to repeated stress put on a bone (jumping during volleyball, running, etc.).

Prevention

Preventing injuries requires a proactive approach. Thinking and working ahead will save you time and time again. A few tips:

Don’t skip the warmup

Many injuries happen because you suddenly burst into activity. Instead of doing that, increase your blood flow and prepare your muscles for the activity that awaits. Some dynamic stretching to improve your flexibility and performance, along with light jogging, can work wonders.

Build strength

A common cause of injury is weak or imbalanced muscles. You should follow a training program that strengthens the muscles you’ll be using most. This is especially important to build stability around your joints.

Use the proper technique

Learn the proper mechanics for the motions and activities you’ll be doing — running, jumping, lifting, etc. This will minimize stress on your joints. too.

Eat and drink healthfully

Stay hydrated and eat a proper mix of nutrient-rich foods, including lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Listen to your body

Some soreness is fine, but don’t ignore pain, especially if it’s sharp. This can turn a minor issue into a major one. Seek medical attention if the pain lingers.

If you’re already dealing with an injury like these, our team members at Carolina Joint and Arthritis are experts in treating sports injuries. To schedule an appointment, call our office or book your own appointment time online.