What Are Sports Injuries?
Sports injuries are damages to muscles, bones, ligaments, or tendons that occur during exercise or physical activity. Sports injuries generally fall into two main categories:
- Acute injuries
- Chronic (overuse) injuries
Acute Sports Injuries
Acute sports injuries occur suddenly due to a single traumatic event.
Sprain
A sprain is the stretching or tearing of ligaments, most commonly affecting the ankle.
Symptoms
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain
- Limited mobility
Strain
A strain involves overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons.
Symptoms
- Sudden sharp pain
- Muscle spasm
- Weakness
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear
Common in sports requiring sudden direction changes such as football and basketball.
Symptoms
- Knee instability
- Rapid swelling
- Feeling of giving way
Chronic (Overuse) Sports Injuries
Chronic injuries develop over time due to repetitive stress and insufficient recovery.
Tendinitis
Inflammation of a tendon due to repetitive strain.
Stress Fractures
Small cracks in the bone caused by repetitive impact.
Shin Splints
Pain along the shin bone, common among runners.
Most Common Sports Injuries
- Ankle sprain
- Knee ligament injuries
- Muscle tears
- Shoulder injuries
- Lower back strain
Causes of Sports Injuries
- Inadequate warm-up
- Overtraining
- Poor technique
- Improper equipment
How to Prevent Sports Injuries
- Proper warm-up and cool-down
- Strength and flexibility training
- Adequate rest
- Professional medical support
When to See a Doctor?
- Severe pain
- Deformity
- Loss of movement
- Swelling lasting more than 48 hours
