There are a number of different types of injuries you are likely to incur from playing sports. Knowing what they are and how to recognize them can help you seek out the best treatment when injuries occur. This knowledge can also help you distinguish between injuries that need immediate treatment and those that will most likely heal on their own.
Acute
Acute injuries usually occur abruptly and cause considerable pain. Other signs of trauma will likely accompany them, such as bruises, broken bones, an open wound and blood, or the sudden inability to flex or use a limb or digit as you normally do. Acute injuries require immediate medical treatment. In the case of milder acute injuries, home treatment such as R.I.C.E. may be all that is needed. More serious injuries, such as sprains and certain types of strains, will need splints to encourage healing and prevent further damage.
Overuse Injuries
Overuse injuries are just what they sound like. They are actually repetitive motion injuries, caused by overuse of a particular joint or muscle. These injuries are hard to avoid because everyone’s tolerance for certain motions is different, and some sports require excessive use of certain parts of the body. The only way to prevent these injuries is to exercise regularly with strength training to strengthen muscles, joints and bones, raising their tolerance for repetitive motion; always warm up thoroughly before playing; and use proper protective equipment. But even then, these injuries can still happen.
Some examples of overuse injuries include shin splints, tennis elbow and swimmers shoulder.
Re-injury
Re-injuries most commonly occur when we return to playing before a previous injury has really healed. This is why it’s a good idea to see a doctor when you think an injury is healed before you start playing again – and this is why many coaches require a doctor’s note after an injury recovery. Re-injuries may simply regress your recovery, but they can also cause additional injury which will have to be treated all over again.
To prevent these injuries, always make sure your injuries have completely healed before you start playing at full speed again. Listen carefully to your doctor and your body, and start up gradually instead of all at once.
