Overview of Sports Injuries
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 (repetitive overload) and develop gradually over time. Examples of acute injuries are sprains and dislocations, while some common chronic injuries are tennis elbow and stress fractures.
Treatment for a sports injury depends on the type of injury, but many can be treated at home by resting, icing, compressing, and elevating (R-I-C-E) the injured part of the body. For severe injuries, you will need to see a health care provider, who may recommend a course of physical therapy for rehabilitation and/or 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.
While adverse events do sometimes happen when playing sports or exercising, most physical activity is safe for almost everyone, and the health and social benefits far outweigh the risks.