Exercise is foundational to living a healthy existence. However, many recreational exercise activities carry inherent risks as well, and it is quite easy to injure oneself when playing sports or working out, even if proper precautionary steps are taken. Learning about some of the common sports injuries can give you an advantage in preventing them. Prevention is a key aspect of sports medicine and can save you time and grief down the line in the event of an accident or injury. If you live an active lifestyle and are concerned about sports injuries, take a look at this overview that describes how to prevent common sports injuries.
What are Sports Injuries?
Sports injuries are physical injuries that are suffered while engaging in a recreational sporting activity. Depending on the nature and intensity of the activity one is engaging in, these injuries can be a simple annoyance or very severe. Specifically, sports injuries are often categorized as either acute or chronic.
Common Varieties of Sports Injuries
There are several types of sports injuries that are more commonly suffered than others. The most common types of sports injuries include:
- Concussion
- Cartilage tear
- Broken bones
- Dislocated joints
- Sprains
- Tendinitis
- Strains
These injuries cover an extensive range of treatment methods and sections of the body. Some of these injuries can make one vulnerable to further injury, should they be ignored. It is always prudent to address these injuries sooner rather than later to avoid further medical complications.
What Parts of The Body are Vulnerable?
There are some parts of the body that are more vulnerable to suffering a sports injury than others. Some of the following should be considered issue areas in terms of sports injuries:
- Ankles
- Elbows
- Achilles Tendon
- Skull
- Shoulder
- Knees
Many of these parts of the body are the first to receive impact in the case of a fall or collision. Wearing the proper protective equipment assigned to them in your chosen activity can be helpful in preventing injury.
How to Prevent Common Sports Injuries
There are preventative measures that one can take to avoid or at least minimize their chance of developing sports injuries. The following actions can prove helpful in this regard:
- Consider switching up activities and the types of sports you play. This can be helpful in terms of preventing repetitive strain injury and other long-term issues.
- Always stay hydrated before, during, and after your planned activity.
- Try to engage in a variety of different types of exercise to strengthen your body comprehensively. A combination of aerobics, weight-lifting, and flexibility training can help keep you free from injury by giving you a more well-rounded sense of athleticism.
- Make sure that you learn the proper techniques of whatever sport or exercise you are about to engage in.
- Stretch thoroughly before engaging in any strenuous exercise.
- Always make sure to wear the proper shoes, safety equipment, and other garments for whatever sport you are about to engage in.
- If you are new to a sport, make sure to engage with it gradually. Rushing into high-intensity levels of activity can be a quick way to injure oneself.
- Consider choosing sports where you are less likely to injure yourself.
What Indicates a Serious Sports Injury?
Many sports injuries are relatively benign and can be rectified with proper rest and attention. However, some sports injuries can be quite serious and can cause permanent damage to the body if a medical professional does not address them. Take note of the following signs that you may be dealing with a more serious sports injury:
- High levels of swelling
- Deep bruising
- Excessive bleeding
- Intense pain that interferes with movement
- Clear physical indications of extreme injury, such as a limb pointing in the wrong direction
- Inability to move or feel a part of your body
Any of the above can represent a dangerous situation with extreme consequences and should be considered a medical emergency. The level of severity of your sports injury can impact your recovery period in major ways. Mild sports injuries may resolve themselves within a few days, while more serious ones may take months to fully heal.
The Best Podiatrist in Southern California
Foot and Ankle Concepts, Inc. prides itself on being one of the best podiatry resources available in Southern California for those who have suffered sports injuries. If you are suffering from a sports injury that needs treatment or would like to know about preventative steps you can take towards avoiding them, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
