The term “sports injury” refers to the kinds of injuries that most
commonly occur during sports or exercise, but they are not limited
to athletes. Factory workers get tennis elbow, painters get shoulder
injuries, and gardeners develop tendinitis, even though they may not
participate in sports. Ultimately, however, “sports injuries” refers to
those that occur in active individuals. This health topic focuses on the
most common types of sports injuries—those that affect the
musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system is the network
of muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and other tissues that
provides the body with stability and enables movement.
Sports injuries are divided into two broad categories, acute and
chronic injuries. Acute injuries happen suddenly, such as when a
person falls, receives a blow, or twists a joint, while chronic injuries
usually result from overuse of one area of the body and develop
gradually over time. Examples of acute injuries are sprains and
dislocations, while some common chronic injuries are shin splints
and stress fractures.
Treatment for a sports injury depends on the type of injury, but
minor ones can usually be treated at home by resting, icing,
compressing, and elevating (R-I-C-E) the injured part of the body. For
more serious injuries, you will need to see a health care provider,
and you may need to be set up for a course of physical therapy for
rehabilitation and/or fitted for a cast, splint, or brace. In some cases,
you may need surgery. A rehabilitation program that includes
exercise and other types of therapy is usually recommended before
resuming the sport or activity that caused the injury.
No scheduling, no waiting, no paperwork. DC Hours gives you board-aligned CE you can finish on your phone — and the proof you need the moment you’re done.