Archive for category: Sports Injury

Being an athlete takes determination and perseverance, and they always run a high risk of getting seriously injured. Professional athletes must take all precautions to prevent any injuries that can affect their performance and professional career. Although injuries can be prevented at times, this does not mean that accidents aren’t bound to happen! It’s unfortunate to see talented professional athletes lose their potential to perform to their fullest capacity because of a serious injury that hindered their professional career forever. Here is a list of the worst sports injuries that a professional athlete may encounter while out practicing any sport:

1. Severe Concussion

   Concussions are common with athletes and are a devastating injury that can affect the motor function both in the short term and long term. Concussions have rapidly become a pressing issue in the NFL and are now altering the way sports are played. Experiencing a concussion weakens the body’s ability to perform accordingly and can have mental implications as well. Concussions cause athletes to be forced to take weeks up to months off from being able to do any normal activities. There are some cases where it can lead to not returning at all, and instead becomes a fast path for retirement! Some additional major issues that can occur from concussions are long-lasting effects in the in the memory and vision.

2. Torn ACL

   ACL tears are extremely painful and often there is a detectable pop at the moment of the injury. The ACL is one of the main ligaments of the knee joint and is exceptionally important to stabilizing the knee joint. For athletes with a torn ACL, it is commonly necessary to get surgery in order to strengthen the muscles back to their original capabilities. There are also long term consequences with ACL tears, and about 65 percent of patients with a torn ACL experience a torn meniscus shortly after. When the injured person is determining if surgery is a personal option for their lifestyle or not, they must also consider the alternative, which is using strengthening program for a duration of ten months.

3. Torn Ulnar Lateral Ligament

   The Ulnar Collateral Ligament is the tissue that keeps the inside of the forearm in tact with the outside of the forearm. Efforts related to throwing anything with the forearm can cause stress. If this is done repeatedly, that’s when the band tissue is likely to tear. Common amongst baseball and volleyball players, a torn Ulnar Lateral Ligament is immensely painful from the elbow all the way up till to the wrist. Exercises like throwing the ball hard into a far distance can be a culprit of this injury; if the ulnar lateral ligament tears they will hear a “pop” that causes them to feel excruciating pain. Physical therapy is a good way to treat a torn ulnar lateral ligament because it facilitates the healing processing by correcting movements, improving range of motion and strengthening the muscles. This is a good treatment to consider without having to go through any major surgery.

4. Broken Leg

   The leg consists of three different parts: the fibula bone, the tibia bone and the thighbone. All three of these parts are prone to being broken in sports, becoming a major difficulty that is challenging for any athlete to overcome. Immediately following a strong force on the leg, the pain is sharp and only gets worst if the athlete tries to move the leg. If an athlete experiences these symptoms right after the impact, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Once a doctor takes a look at it he/she can take an x-ray to determine how impacted the leg is. The treatment for a broken leg is most commonly treated with a plaster cast worn to allow for bones to heal in a time frame of 7 weeks. It is also recommended to be in a rehabilitation program once the cast is removed in order to gain the strength needed for the leg to be at its best shape again.

5. Fractured Vertebrae

   The vertebra is most commonly broken in the lower back area, just below the spine. This may just be one of the most dreaded injuries on the list since it can cost an athlete’s ability to move and end their sports career. The pain is primarily in the spine and can happen from any strong force that leads you to fall on your spine from extreme sports. The implications can be life threatening, an extreme injury can even lead to paralysis. Treatment for fractured vertebrae could include wearing a back brace or getting prescribed the right antibiotics that can help soothe the pain in the spine. Antibiotics including opiates will provide significant relief to fractured vertebrae. Another treatment that can help is exercise that includes stretching and a strengthening program will help the movement in the spine and lead to quicker healing process.

Whether you’re an All-American athlete or a weekend warrior that takes part in pick-up games and backyard sessions, sports injuries always pose a potential threat. These injuries can range from minor to severe – some may even require surgery. Luckily, these injuries can be prevented through proper conditioning, warm-ups, technique exercises, and more. Here are 5 common sports injuries and smart ways to prevent them from happening so you can stay in the game:

1. Strains and sprains

   Common among athletes of all levels, strains and sprains usually occur in the wrists, ankles, or knees. A strain is most commonly known as a pulled muscle, while sprains occur when ligaments are torn or overstretched. Both of these injuries limit the range of motion in the damaged joint and require ample amount of recovery time.

   Preventing these types of injuries require an increase in flexibility and strength. It’s important to condition your body to vigorous exercise prior to any games to ensure the safety of your muscles and joints. Additionally, working on the proper technique for your sport is essential since it can minimize the risk of painful impact and overstretched muscles.

2. ACL injuries

   This dreaded injury occurs when the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) suddenly gets hit from the side, causing the ACL to strain or tear. ACL tears are one of the more severe and common sports injuries that an athlete can get. Surgery is usually required for people with torn ACLs to help them regain their physically active lifestyle.

   ACL injuries could be potentially devastating to an athlete’s sports career. Preventing an unfortunate event like this from happening requires knowledge of the correct mechanics of your sport. This means having the proper form when it comes to doing lunges, squats, jumps and landings. If an athlete’s knees or ankles are collapsing on every rep, it greatly increases their risk for an ACL injury. Getting into the habit of practicing the form can significantly decrease the risk factor for this unpleasant injury.

3. Groin pull

   Athletes that participate in sports that require running or rapid changes in direction are more likely to receive groin injuries. The muscles that are affected are the “Adductor” muscles, which help bring the legs together. When one your Adductor muscles are pulled, it makes it difficult to kick, jump, and accelerate rapidly.

   Preventing a groin pull involves frequent stretching and thorough warm-ups to promote blood flow to the muscles, which in turn increases flexibility.

4. Hamstring strain

   Hamstring injuries are common among athletes that over-stretch their hurdles and lift their leg up past their range of motion. This injury is slow to heal since hamstrings are required to walk and are constantly under stress.

   Stretching is key when it comes to hamstring injury prevention. Making sure your leg muscles are warmed up before engaging in physical activity can greatly reduce your chances of obtaining this injury. Some examples to help prevent hamstring damages are running and stretching the backs of your legs by touching your toes.

5. Shin splints

   A shin splint is a sharp or dull pain that occurs along the shinbone, sometimes extending down to the foot and ankle. This injury is most common among runners, especially those who run on hard surfaces or long distances.

   Failing to warm up the shin muscles before running is a common mistake made among all athletes that require running in their sport. Improper running techniques or wearing unsupportive running shoes are also major contributors to shin splints and can make it painful to walk or even stand.

Overall, no matter what sport you participate in, it’s important to remember to warm-up your body before engaging in any type of vigorous activity. Working out daily and conditioning your body can produce double the benefits, giving you the ability to maintain a healthy body while still being able to stay in the game during the weekends.

Sports massages are beneficial to athletes of all levels. When performing a sports massage, technique is very important. The main reason technique is important is to ensure no further damage is being done. The best time to receive a sports massage is referred to as a post-event massage. The reason for a post-event massage is to return the body back to normality and oftentimes prevent an injury.

All sports massages are broken up into three main categories of techniques: effleurage, petrissage, and frictions. A few less common techniques are percussion and vibrations. Sports massages come with many benefits. Some of these benefits include enhanced circulation, reduced muscle tension, relieved mental tension, stimulated nerves, and injury prevention.

Effleurage is always used first in a massage to warm up the muscles and at the end of a massage to relax the body. Effleurage consists of a variety of strokes with the palm of the hand and the fingers spread wide. This technique ensures that the muscles are warmed, circulation is increased, and the body is prepared for deeper strokes to come. These strokes are meant to be firm, but compared to the rest of these techniques the strokes are fairly light. It is often during this stage that the problem areas are discovered.

Petrissage is often referred to as kneading. This is a technique that targets the deeper tissue. Petrissage must be performed carefully because this is a powerful technique that is particularly effective in mobilizing fluids into the deeper tissues and applying a good stretch to the tighter muscles.

Frictions are performed by using long, slow strokes and sometimes are performed in a circular motion. Frictions are not used for a long time during the massage because they are often painful. They can be used to search for muscle problems and break down scar tissue. Frictions often clear away waste and correct muscle problems but also tend to cause inflammation. Frictions should be followed by a round of effleurage to help with this inflammation.

The last two techniques are not as common but are still very effective. Percussion includes several techniques clumped together. These techniques include a chopping motion, a tapping of the fingertips to help the nerves, and sometimes slapping or a light pounding with the fists. All of these motions contribute to the reason why this technique is called percussion. Another technique used called vibrations is performed by the hand shaking the legs or back in a shuddering motion. The outcome of vibrations is often a calming of the nerves.

A sports massage therapist will use a variety of these methods. A skilled therapist assesses the body’s needs before and during the massage process. Whether you are a professional athlete, recreational athlete, or a fitness enthusiast, adding a sports massage to your weekly routine could drastically change your life and peak your performance.

With the summer months upon us, there are bound to be more people swimming, which also increases the chance of swimming related injuries. Swimming is one of the most popular low-impact fitness activities. There is a wide range of skill between those swimming competitively and those that choose it as a recreational sport. The majority of swimming athletes practice and compete year-round. Elite swimmers sometimes train more than five miles per day, putting their joints through intense repetitive motion. Depending on the stroke used, the majority of swimming injuries affect the shoulders, knees, hips, or back. Minor injuries can cause shoulders to become unstable and lead to shoulder pain and tendinitis. Other frequent injuries include inner knee and hip issues from breaststroke kicking, as well as back injuries from dolphin kicks or dry-land cross-training.

Typically, the most common injuries are shoulder and lower body injuries. The shoulder is the one joint most commonly affected by swimming injuries and overuse. Shoulder injuries could include rotator cuff impingement, in which there is pressure on the rotator cuff from part of the scapula or shoulder blade as the arm is lifted for a stroke. Fatigue and weakness of the rotator cuff and muscles surrounding the shoulder blade can result in biceps tendinitis (painful inflammation of the bicep tendon) and shoulder instability, wherein structures that surround the shoulder joint do not work to maintain the ball within its socket. Knee injuries that involve the tendons and ligaments are also common. Swimmers who regularly do the breaststroke may also experience hip pain from inflammation of the tendons in the hip. Back problems, as well as lower back disk problems, may be increased by the dolphin kick which is often used in competitive swimming.

Correcting one’s technique may help prevent these conditions from affecting your swimming. Using good, symmetrical body rotation will help prevent shoulder injuries. Changing your stroke technique to enter the water with a flat hand, finger tip first will also benefit. Furthermore, many swimmers don’t give very much attention to their upper body posture when swimming. If you are one that has poor posture from your daily life already, it can really affect how your muscles work when you are swimming. To introduce better posture while you swim, try to consciously think about having your shoulders back and chest forward. If possible, lessen the repetitive strokes that are causing overuse injuries. Be sure to exercise your muscles regularly when out of the water to keep your muscles and ligaments strong and flexible. Always speak with a sports medicine professional or athletic trainer if you have any concerns about injuries or prevention strategies.

Hopefully you do not encounter any of these injuries and can continue to enjoy your swimming activities, whether it be for personal enjoyment or competitive swimming.