Sports injuries are common in athletes. You can get injured from falls or when an object (heavier than your body part can tolerate) forcefully hits you. These are acute sports injuries. Chronic ones occur from overuse or deterioration of the specific body part. Sports injury treatment in Mumbai includes over-the-counter pain medication, rest, and cold compression. Sometimes, surgical intervention might be needed to fix the damage. Let’s explore the common types of injuries in sports.
Acute Injuries
a) Sprains and Strains:
Sprains affect the ligaments, which stretch too much during movement. Strains, on the other hand, tear your muscles. Sprains and strains are the most common acute sports injuries affecting your wrist, ankles, and knees. Sports like soccer and basketball can lead to these acute injuries.
b) Fractures:
Fractures occur when bones break from hitting an object or surface while running, turning, or playing sports. They can be minor or severe and require surgery for bone realignment.
c) Dislocations:
Although less common than fractures, joint dislocations can also occur during sports. These are more common in shoulder joints. When a shoulder moves out of its socket, it’s called a dislocated shoulder.
Overuse Injuries
A) Tendinitis:
The tendon connects your bones to the muscles. It can get inflamed and swollen from excessive and repetitive movements, causing excruciating pain. The condition mostly affects your heels, elbows, knee joints, and shoulders. See a sports medicine doctor in Mumbai if you suspect tendinitis.
B) Stress Fractures:
Repetitive use of the bones can lead to stress fractures — tiny cracks and bruising in your bones. Unlike regular fractures that occur from a sudden trauma, stress fractures develop gradually. Symptoms include swelling, bruising, and pain that gets intense with movement and better when you rest.
C) Shin Splints:
Shin is the front part of your leg that covers the area below your knee. Shin splints are common in dancers, athletes, and others who put excessive strain on their legs. Shin splints occur when you try new exercises without the trainer’s supervision and increase your exercise duration or intensity. Rest, compression, leg elevation, and anti-inflammatory medication can help treat shin splints.
Chronic Injuries
i) Arthritis:
Strenuous physical activities and sports can repeatedly strain your knee, hips, and other joints. If these joints are injured frequently, you might develop osteoarthritis. It’s a chronic condition that might require a surgical replacement of the affected joint.
ii) Tennis Elbow:
Sports like badminton and tennis can put excessive strain on your elbow joint, which can cause tennis elbow. The pain can be felt in the outer elbow, and sometimes, it can radiate to the entire arm.
Prevention and Treatment
Sports injuries can be painful and lead to inflammation and swelling. Fortunately, these are preventable. Here’s what can help:
1) Proper Warm-Up:
Before exercising or playing sports, spend 5-10 minutes on warm-up. Light stretches improve blood circulation and prepare your body for more strenuous exercises.
2) Use the Right Technique and Equipment:
You must practice sports under a trainer’s guidance. Overusing a specific muscle can result in a tear or excessive stretching. Likewise, wear proper gear to prevent impact injuries.
3) Get Rest:
Your body needs rest between the training sessions. Rest and drink plenty of fluids to prevent injuries caused by overuse.
