Do you know the 5 most common sports injuries?

Your love of sports may stem from its physical health benefits, the opportunity to socialize or simply pure enjoyment. Whatever your reason may be, you could be setting yourself up for injury if you don’t take proper precautions.

In fact, there are five common injuries tied to playing sports:

1. Sprains and strains

Sprains involve the stretching or tearing of the ligament that connects your bones together.

“Fractures can often be confused as sprains. So, if symptoms are severe or persistent, then medical evaluation is appropriate,” says Dr. Spencer Kirk, a sports medicine physician at Advocate Health Care. “However, the majority of sprains get better on their own.”

You may experience symptoms such as acute pain, swelling and difficulty bearing weight. Strains are often caused by fatigue, lack of flexibility and inadequate warm-up.

“While rest and compression are important for reducing pain and swelling, there is a benefit to early mobility and strengthening to reduce weakness and speed up recovery,” says Dr. Phillip Sasser, a sports medicine physician at Aurora Health Care.

2. Bone stress injuries

Stress injuries, including stress fractures and shin splints, typically result from overuse and may cause bone breakdown. You may experience pain at the injury site that increases during or after activity.

“Several factors can increase your risk of stress fractures, including wearing unsupportive shoes, direct trauma, rapid increase in workout intensity, low calorie intake and overtraining,” Dr. Sasser says.

Treatment involves:

• Modifying activities
• Cross-training
• Evaluating body mechanics, like foot posture

“Properly fueling your body is also a key component to preventing overuse injuries,” Dr. Kirk says. “This includes nutrition before and after exercise paired with adequate sleep.”

3. Tendinitis

Tendinitis is tendon inflammation due to repetitive stress, which can occur in various locations. You may have increased pain with activity and swelling around the affected tendon.

Treatment involves:

• The PRICE protocol
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Targeted stretches and exercises

“Once you have recovered from a tendon injury, it’s important to implement a warmup and maintenance program to prevent recurrence,” Dr. Kirk explains.

4. Fractures

Fractures, or broken bones, exhibit symptoms like pain, swelling and limited mobility. Contrary to common misconceptions, the ability to move a joint does not rule out a fracture.

Treatment involves:

• Immobilization with casts or braces
• Immediate ice application
• Rehabilitation to restore strength and stability

“Fractures are exceedingly common and while some may require surgery, the body does a remarkable job at healing bone injuries,” Dr. Kirk says.

Dr. Sasser also says getting adequate amounts of vitamin D can help maintain bone health and prevent fractures.

5. Concussion

A concussion is a brain injury that can result from a direct or indirect blow to the body, causing force to the head. This disrupts normal brain function. Concussion symptoms can manifest immediately or be delayed for 24 to 36 hours after the incident.

Typical symptoms include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Feeling slowed down
• Difficulty concentrating and remembering
• Emotional changes and irritability

Seek medical evaluation promptly if you experience these symptoms. Delayed presentation may lead to a longer recovery.

Treatment may involve:

• Relative rest
• Modification of school activity for student-athletes
• Rehabilitation therapies

“Concussion care has changed dramatically over the years,” Dr. Kirk says. “Gone are the days of sitting in a dark room and doing nothing. Early low intensity aerobic activity, such as using a stationary bike, can improve symptoms and lead to faster recovery.”

Certain signs warrant immediate emergency medical attention, including falling unprotected, lying motionless, uncoordinated movements, an open head injury, seizure, severe headache, vomiting or deteriorating state of consciousness.

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