5 Most Common Sports Injuries
Thomas Stauss, MD is a lifelong resident of Wisconsin. He received his undergraduate and medical education at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. For him, having a wide variety of innovative treatment options with which to work assures that his patients’ discomfort can be addressed effectively and that their quality... more
Whether you are a highly skilled athlete or a weekend warrior, there is always the possibility of injury. Unfortunately, when injuries occur, it might be challenging to determine what you've tweaked or how to treat them. The following are the most prevalent sports injuries.
1. Hip Flexor Strain
The hip flexors are muscles located on the upper front side of the thigh. The hip flexor muscles' primary responsibilities are to lift the knee toward your torso and to help move your leg toward and away from the opposite leg. Hip flexors can be weak in people who sit a lot at work, or they can become weak and rigid in people with bad sitting posture. Sprinting, running inclines, and activities with quick turns and sudden starts can all result in muscle group injuries.
Common signs of a hip flexor strain include pain while raising the leg, such as when climbing stairs or getting in and out of a car, as well as cutting and running sports. A hip flexor strain may result in bruising in the front of the upper thigh and groin area.
For the first 48 to 72 hours, the best way to manage a hip flexor strain is to rest and ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. After the first three days of rehabilitation, the injured athlete should apply heat for 15 to 20 minutes before resting and doing modest heel slides and flexor stretches.
2. ACL Tear or Strain
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the main stabilizing ligament in the knee. The most prevalent cause of ACL strains in sports is slowing down and attempting to cut, pivot, or change directions. ACL injuries frequently tear ligaments on the inside of the knee, making them severe events.
Common ACL tear symptoms include instability while walking or turning corners and increased edema in the knee. A minor ACL strain or tear can be treated without surgery with rest and ice because scar tissue helps mend the ligament and makes the knee more stable. A total ACL tear necessitates surgery and several months of intense physical treatment before the athlete may resume activity.
3. Concussion
A concussion is a type of brain injury caused by a blow to the head that causes the brain to rattle or shake. Concussions are serious ailments that should never be treated lightly. If an athlete suffers a concussion, they should consult a licensed athletic trainer or a doctor who has treated concussions before. Common concussion symptoms may include:
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Sensitivity to light
- Delayed response to questions
Athletes who have been diagnosed with a concussion should never return to their sport without first being medically cleared by a concussion evaluation specialist.
Rest, reducing activities that require mental or physical stress, and gradually reintroducing physical activity are all common concussion treatments, as long as symptoms do not return.
4. Groin Pull
A groin pull is also known as a groin strain. The groin muscles extend from the upper inner thigh to the inner thigh directly above the knee. The groin muscles pull the legs together and are frequently injured by fast side-to-side movements or a lack of stretch. The injured athlete may experience trouble with lateral movements, getting in and out of cars, and discomfort or bruising in the groin or inner thigh.
During the first 72 hours, groin pull treatment consists of 15 to 20 minutes of rest and icing. After the first three days, the athlete could use heat for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, followed by gentle, appropriate groin stretching and range of motion activities, such as creating snow angels on the floor.
5. Sciatica
Sciatica is back discomfort that radiates down the back of the leg or even to the foot. This radiating pain may also be linked with numbness, burning, and tingling down the leg. Sciatica can be evident in athletes who have a flexed forward posture, such as bikers, or athletes who do a lot of trunk rotation in swing sports like golf and tennis. Back and radiating pain might be caused by a bulging disc or a pinched nerve.
Rest, extending the back and hamstrings, and resting on your stomach can all help relieve symptoms. If the pain, numbness, or tingling lasts more than two weeks, the athlete should consult a medical practitioner, such as a sports injury specialist, to relieve sciatica symptoms.
