Common Sports Injuries

It’s been great, my turf toe has been getting a lot better. Actually, I didn’t see a doctor for about 4 months and it just kept getting worse. But when I started seeing Dr. Jimenez, it just, little by little it’s been starting to get better. It feels a lot better when I practice and stuff like that. So, it’s getting better. – Vincent Garcia

There’s always a particular risk for athletes when it comes to sports-related injuries, or sports injuries, particularly when participating in physical activities. Moreover, contact sports, such as soccer, baseball, football and basketball, tend to have higher injury rates than any other sport.

Twice as many men suffer sports-related injuries in contrast with females as a consequence of the types of sports that they most commonly engage in. Whether you’re a seasoned and experienced athlete or you simply play as a weekend warrior, there’s always a chance of experiencing a sports injury. Below, we will discuss several of the most common types of sports injuries, or sports-related injuries.

Common Sports Injuries

Sprains and strains are the most common sports injuries. Sprains are medically defined as injuries to the ligaments, or the strong bands which connect bones to the joints. Overly stretching these ligaments beyond their natural range can ultimately damage or even tear them.

Strains are medically referred to as injuries to the muscle fibers or tendons, which connect muscles to bones. Strains are known as “pulled muscles” for a reason, overly stretching or overuse of a muscle can cause tears in the muscle fibers or tendons.

“Think of ligaments and muscle-tendon units like springs,” explained Dr. William Roberts, MD, sports medicine physician at the University of Minnesota and spokesman for the American College of Sports Medicine. “The tissue lengthens with stress and returns to its normal length, unless it is pulled too far out of its normal range.” Additionally, sports injuries can result in a variety of other health issues.

Patellofemoral Syndrome

Accidents in sports which can harm an athlete generally are inclined to be knee injuries. Patellofemoral syndrome could be caused by a slide or fall onto the knees. This type of sports injury involves swelling, inflammation and an imbalance of the knee at its groove. Strengthening exercises and stretching can help provide flexibility and mobility to the muscles. Apart from strengthening exercises and stretches, a doctor of chiropractic, or chiropractor, may utilize therapeutic techniques for this specific injury.

Concussion

A blow to the head could lead to a concussion. Concussions are a serious type of sports injury and these should never be disregarded. Symptoms indicating a possible head injury may include nausea, vomiting, confusion, headache, and slurred speech. Any athlete who incurs a concussion must seek immediate medical attention. Chiropractic care can help with several of the symptoms, such as headaches, related to a concussion.

ACL Tear

The anterior cruciate ligament, or the ACL, is a fundamental ligament found in the knee. An ACL tear can be caused due to a sudden change in directions or coming to a sudden stop when playing sports or during exercise and physical activities. There’s typically swelling, inflammation and uncertainty in movement working with an ACL tear. Chiropractic care can assist with the recovery process of an ACL tear, particularly through physical therapeutics and rehabilitation programs.

Hip Flexor Strain

The hip flexor muscles are all located in the upper front area of the thigh. Sprinting, running slopes and sudden movements could lead to a hip flexor strain. There can be pain and discomfort together with swelling and inflammation in the region surrounding the thigh. Stretching and range of motion exercises employing a doctor of chiropractic, or chiropractor, can help aid with recovery. A chiropractor will work closely with a patient to determine the best treatment approach for their sports injuries.

Shin Splints

With shin splints, there’s usually pain and other painful symptoms in the lower leg, particularly along the tibia. Shin splints are the most common type of sports injuries among runners or running athletes. Ice and cold therapy can help reduce swelling and inflammation on the site. Moreover, runners or running athletes can prevent suffering shin splints by purchasing a good pair of shoes with proper arch support. The right equipment can always promote a safe participation in sports and physical activities.

Sciatica

Sciatica is back pain which radiates down the back of the leg and into the foot. This collection of symptoms is often seen in cyclists and athletes who perform a lot of backwards turning and swinging sports like tennis and golf. Sciatica, or sciatic nerve pain, may be caused by a pinched or compressed nerve, frequently due to a bulging or herniated disc. Chiropractic care is a well-known, alternative treatment option which can help alleviate sciatica, or sciatic nerve pain, symptoms.

Shoulder Injury

Shoulder injuries in sports commonly range from dislocations and misalignments to strains and sprains of the shoulder tendons and ligaments. Because the shoulder is frequently referred to as a weak joint, it is often vulnerable to suffering harm from sports injuries during exercise and physical activities, aside from the athlete’s specific sport. Ice and cold therapy as well as chiropractic care and rehabilitation can help ease the symptoms associated with shoulder injuries.

Tennis or Golf Elbow

This issue is known as an overuse sports injury. Repetitive actions inflame the forearm and wrist. Ice and cold therapy as well as rest normally helps with the symptoms, but stretching and strengthening exercises recommended by a chiropractor can also help.

Groin Pull

Additionally known as a groin strain, the groin muscles can get strained with quick side-to-side movements when engaging in exercises and physical activities. Stretching and strengthening exercises can help with the recovery process in this case as well.

Hamstring Strain

The hamstring muscles can be found in the back of the thigh. When athletes fail to stretch or exercise accordingly before engaging in their specific sports, it can cause this muscle to be pulled. If the symptoms of this condition continue over a couple of weeks, a chiropractor, or doctor of chiropractic, can help provide the necessary treatment through the use of other treatment approaches, such as ultrasound, among others, to help encourage the natural healing of the muscle and improve symptoms.

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight

Although many common sports injuries are often beyond our control, athletes can engage in stretches and exercises before participating in their specific physical activities to help prevent a sports injury. Every workout should start with a gentle warm-up to prevent most of these sports injuries. It’s important for athletes to be mindful of the amount of pressure they exert on their bodies in order for them to avoid suffering sports injuries.

If you’ve suffered a sports injury, make sure to seek immediate medical attention from a qualified and experienced healthcare professional. Many skilled sports medicine doctors are dedicated to sports medicine and also focus on providing rehabilitation determined by the performance requirements of athletes. Healthcare professionals will design a treatment plan targeted to your sports injuries.

Get back in the game with the guidance of qualified and experienced healthcare professionals in sports injuries. Contact us and make sure to schedule a consultation. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .

Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez

Additional Topics: Acute Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes for disability and missed days at work worldwide. As a matter of fact, back pain has been attributed as the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.

EXTRA IMPORTANT TOPIC: Lower Back Pain Management