Lots of people all over the world participate in various kinds of games and sports activities everyday. There is improvement in overall health and fitness due to participation in such kind of sports activities. While this is the positive side of playing sports, the negative part is that it can result in injuries. It can be minor, serious or still other in lifelong medical problem.
The main & the foremost reason of sports injuries is due to poor training practices, any kind of accidents or from an improper gear. It can be caused from acute trauma or repeated stress associated with sports activities. These kind of injuries can affect soft tissue (ligaments, muscles, tendons) and bones. Lack of warming up or stretching enough before you play or exercise can also lead to injuries.
The pain of a sports injury should never be ignored even if it minor. The first action is to stop playing or exercising when there is pain. It only causes more harm.
When kids are playing games, occasional bumps & bruises are most common thing we expect.
The commonest sports injuries are concussion, contusion, laceration, sprains and strains, dislocation and fracture.
Some injuries are minimal which you can treat yourself. While others need to be seen by the doctors as soon as possible.
Although the number of injuries cited in the new report may seem high, the actual number is likely even higher, says Neeru Jayanthi, a sports medicine physician at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. That’s because the study included only ERs, and many kids go to urgent care centers, their regular doctor or a sports medicine clinic, says Jayanthi, who was not involved in the study.
[Reference-https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/08/06/injuries…sports/2612429]
BRAIN injury is the leading cause of death due to Sports injuries. The two main system affected while injured are mainly NERVOUS & VASCULAR systems. Diagnosis can be established by detailed history of athlete and then to give primary treatment.
Depending upon the symptoms, injuries can be classified into two ways, regardless of the structure affected, i.e. Acute & Chronic.
Acute injuries have sudden severe pain with swelling of the parts and redness. There is inability to bear weight in that part with extreme tenderness. These type of injuries require immediate action. Chronic injuries occur from overusing of the the specific part and its symptoms include long standing swelling of the part with dull aching pain especially when using that part.
The first and foremost treatment usually given in acute injury is RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) method to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and speed healing. This is the way which can be opted as as First Aid till we can identify the exact depth and type of complaint.
The next step is to contact the medical practioner nearby and further follow up him regularly.
Call a doctor when:
- Injury causes severe pain, swelling, or numbness
- You can’t put any weight on the area
- An old injury hurts or aches
- An old injury swells
- The joint doesn’t feel normal or feels unstable.
Other mode of treatment which can be done at home are application of pain relievers, immobilizing the injured part, rehabilitation, and occasionally surgery is required depending upon the type of injury.
The most commonest point of injury is the ankle then head (14%) followed by finger (12%), knee (9%) and lastly face (7%).
Dr. Jigar Thakkar and his team strongly believe that it is necessary to educate young athletes and parents about sports injuries. Athletes should be encouraged to speak up about injuries. Coaches should support the players in order to avoid further damage to injured parts.
The first step to avoid injury is to prevent the one. To prevent injuries, it is important to establish participation in warm-ups, stretching and exercises that increases the strength of main muscle groups involved in playing various sports.
The tip to getting most out of your skills and to prevent injuries are warming up & cooling down, proper nutrition and re-hydration, wearing appropriate clothing, acclimitase to the weather conditions, using proper techniques and to progress gradually. If at all injury occurs, treating it with priority.