Millions suffer from the most common sports injuries annually, but not all sports injuries are sports-related. While some occur with recreational activities like bicycling, running, and hiking, others originate from daily chores like painting and gardening.
Injuries also occur within the musculoskeletal system’s tissues, ligaments, tendons, and bones. Below, our experienced Brain Injury Law of Seattle team explains sports-related injuries and how to avoid them.
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Sports Injuries
Sports injuries are either acute or chronic. You feel acute injuries immediately after a sprain or dislocation, while chronic ailments occur gradually from overusing your body.
How Frequently Do Sports Injuries Occur?
According to the CDC, sports injuries statistics state 8.6 million are hurt annually, and about 3.5 million of these incidents derive from organized children and teen sports.
The Most Common Injuries That Can Occur from Sports
Hip Flexor Strain
Hip flexors on the upper thigh lift the knee and guide each leg left and right. The flexors weaken with improper sitting or inactivity, becoming susceptible to a sports injury. Quick or sudden sprints and turns cause bruising but subside with rest, icing, and physical therapy.
Epicondylitis (Golf & Tennis Elbow)
Gripping activities inflame the forearm tendons, promoting wrist and hand pain. Rest and ice reduce inflammation, but stretching and strengthening exercises relieve stiffness.
Bone fracture
Acute fractures are one-time injuries from shattering forces. Stress fractures occur on the weight-bearing tibia, fibula, or femur over time with excessive jumping or running. Growth plate fractures occur in kids under 20 since sensitive cartilage hasn’t been converted to bone.
ACL Tear or Strain
The anterior cruciate knee ligaments tear with knee force, like when changing running direction or stopping abruptly. Instability and swelling ensue, but scar tissue heals the ligament with rest and ice.
Achilles tendon injuries
When the tendon that connects the heel and calf muscles tears or stretches due to excessive walking, running, or other strain, you’ll feel stiffness behind the heel, which may require surgery.
Shin Splints
Bone tissue, muscle, and tendon inflammation along the tibia or shinbone cause pain in the inner lower leg, especially in new runners and soccer players. Arch support alongside rest and ice reduces pain.
Knee Injury
A knee injury is one of the most common sports injuries, contributing to over 50% of all ailments. Injuries include a runner’s knee, tendon or meniscal tears, bone fractures, and dislocation.
Patellofemoral Syndrome
A muscle imbalance or swelling causes the kneecap to push against the thigh bone. Stretching the inner and outer thigh muscles can help, but seek PT assistance if the pain continues after two weeks.
Hamstring Strain
When you pull the muscle in the back of your thigh from improper or no stretching before strenuous activities, tears occur, taking about two weeks to heal.
Dislocation
Intense sports and inadequate stretching cause adjoined bones to come apart at the joint. From shoulder and elbow to finger and kneecap dislocations, seek professional help moving them into place.
Concussion
Another common injury in sports includes concussions. Brain jarring from a head blow causes headaches, nausea, confusion, delayed responses, and cognitive impairments.
Rotator cuff injuries
Tendons in the shoulder rotator cuff become inflamed from overuse and overhead motions, especially in athletes and painters.
Ankle Sprain
When twisting, rolling, landing, or pivoting on your ankle awkwardly, such as when playing basketball or volleyball, joint ligaments tear and require rest for restrengthening.
Groin Pull
Sports requiring quick side-to-side movements, like hockey, football, and soccer, strain the inner thigh muscles, causing bruising and tenderness around the groin.
Sciatica
Cyclists, golfers, and others with questionable posture during sports notice can suffer from a pinched nerve or bulging disc that causes back pain alongside numbness and burning that travels down the body to the feet.
Causes of Sports Injuries
The most common sports injuries occur when an individual doesn’t stretch the muscles appropriately for intense activities or when placing excessive force onto a given body part, causing acute injuries. Repeated motions also degrade joints and tissues over time, leading to chronic injuries.
How to Prevent Sports Injuries
Knowing how to prevent sports injuries means deciphering what sport has the most injuries. Sports with the most injuries, like basketball, soccer, and football, prove strenuous, so ensure you stretch properly before participating. Also, listen to your body by resting if mild discomfort, pinching, or other unusual feelings occur.
Contact Us Today for Medical and Legal Help!
Our professionals at Brain Injury Law of Seattle understand how difficult sustaining injuries are, so we strive to help you find effective medical and legal assistance. To learn more about the most common sports injuries and sports injury law, contact us in Seattle, WA, today!
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