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Sports Injuries

About Sports Injuries

Most sports injuries are due to either trauma or overuse of muscles or joints. The majority are caused by minor trauma involving muscles, ligaments, tendons, or bones resulting in swelling, strain, sprain, tears or fractures.

SPRAIN A sprain occurs when a ligament, which is a band of fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones and provides stability to joints, is stretched or torn. Ligaments are crucial for maintaining joint stability and controlling joint movement.

Common Areas Affected by Sprains

  • Ankles: Ankle sprains are among the most common types. They usually happen when the foot twists or turns unexpectedly, causing the ligaments around the ankle to stretch or tear. This often results in swelling, pain, and difficulty walking.
  • Knee sprains can occur from sudden twists or impacts, such as those in sports. The knee has several ligaments, and sprains can involve any of these, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or the medial collateral ligament (MCL), Meniscal tear.
  • Wrists: Wrist sprains often happen from falls or impacts that force the wrist into an unnatural position. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising around the wrist.

STRAIN

STRAIN A strain involves an injury to a muscle or tendon (the tissue that connects muscles to bones). It occurs when these tissues are overstretched or torn due to excessive force, overuse, or improper movement. Unlike sprains, which involve ligaments, strains involve muscles and tendons.

Common Types of Strains:

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis):
Repeated wrist and arm movements, often from sports like tennis or activities that involve gripping or twisting. Pain and tenderness on the outer side of the elbow, extending into the forearm, especially with wrist movements.
Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
Overuse of the muscles and tendons on the inside of the elbow, often from sports like golf or activities that involve gripping or swinging. Pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow, extending down the forearm.
Lumbar Strain
Excessive bending, lifting, or twisting, especially in sports involving heavy lifting or sudden movements. Lower back pain, muscle spasms, stiffness, and soreness. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).
Jumper's Knee (Patellar Tendonitis)
Repetitive stress on the knee from activities that involve frequent jumping or running, such as basketball or volleyball. Pain just below the kneecap, especially with activities that put stress on the knee joint.
Runner's Knee (Patellofemoral Stress Syndrome)
Overuse, misalignment of the kneecap, or poor biomechanics, often from running or walking. Pain around or behind the kneecap, particularly with activities like running, climbing stairs, or sitting for long periods.

Common Shoulder Injuries

STRAIN A strain involves an injury to a muscle or tendon (the tissue that connects muscles to bones). It occurs when these tissues are overstretched or torn due to excessive force, overuse, or improper movement. Unlike sprains, which involve ligaments, strains involve muscles and tendons.

  • Rotator Cuff Tears: Often result from repetitive overhead movements (common in baseball and swimming) or acute trauma. Pain, weakness, and limited range of motion in the shoulder. Difficulty performing overhead activities and night pain are also common.
  • Shoulder Sprains: Can occur from falls, collisions, or overstretching, affecting the ligaments around the shoulder. Pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion. Depending on severity, it might range from mild discomfort to significant pain and dysfunction.
  • Bicipital tendinitis: inflammation of biceps tendon
  • Subacromial bursitis: collection of fluid in bursa due to rotator cuff sprain/tears

Other Common Injuries In Lower Body

  • Hamstring Strain : Often occur in sports requiring explosive movements, such as sprinting or jumping, leading to overstretching or tearing of the hamstring muscles. Sudden sharp pain in the back of the thigh, tenderness, bruising, and difficulty walking or moving the leg.
  • Achilles Tendonitis : Achilles Tendonitis is caused by overuse, especially in runners and jumpers. It causes pain in the back of your leg above your heel bone.
  • Plantar Fasciitis : Plantar Fasciitis is a condition that occurs when the fibrous tissues connecting the heels to the toes become inflamed. It mostly affects runners and ballet dancers.

Treatment And Management

  • RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) and oral analgesics
  • Regenerative Therapy
  • PROLOTHERAPY
  • PLATELET RICH PLASMA
  • GROWTH FACTORS
  • Followed by Physical Therapy & Gradual strengthening exercises