Sports injury remains one of the primary concerns of both athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike. The accidents that hurt physical activities result in millions each year, which keep people away from their favorite sports and recreational activities. According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, approximately 30% of athletes experience sports-related injuries during their careers. These injuries can range from minor to severe, affecting not only muscles and bones but also the general performance and well-being of an athlete. Fortunately, with the expertise of professional physical therapists like at FYZICAL Easton Commons, such athletes can recover from sport-related injury faster and safely to return to their sport in much less time and with greater strength.
At FYZICAL Easton Commons, we design a treatment program with the goal of helping you heal from a sports injury. Whether it be a sprain, muscle tear, or fracture, our team is committed to helping you regain strength, mobility, and confidence. We incorporate evidence-based treatments so that you return to the field, court, or track with the least chance of re-injury.
Anatomy of a Sports Injury-what is it?
General Overview of Sports Injuries, Sports injuries generally include injury to the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and other connective tissues. Acute trauma injuries typically result from a sudden, violent force such as a fall or a direct blow to the body. Other types of trauma injuries are those of repetitive stress caused by overuse of a part of the body. Knowledge of the anatomy of these injuries will best help both the athlete and health professional in their treatment and prevention.
Muscle Strains and Tears
Muscular injuries are one of the common sports injuries; They usually include overstretching and tearing of muscles. It occurs at sudden violent activities like sprinting and heavy weightlifting that give a very high tension to the muscular tissue. Different categories of muscle pull include; General strain grades that differ according to their severity from mild to serious
- Grade I Strains: There is mild stretching of muscle that results in slight discomfort and limitation of movements.
- Grade II Strains: Partial tearing of muscle fibers. It causes the victim to feel moderate pain, swelling, and bruising.
- Grade III Strains: Complete tearing of the muscle. Surgery and a long recovery period may be needed.
Generally, the common symptoms include pain, swelling, and reduced strength, and decreased range of motion. Common Sites of muscle strains occur in areas like hamstrings, quadriceps,
and calves.
Ligament Sprains
Ligaments are bands of tissue that connect bones and stabilize joints. Sprains are stretched or torn ligaments. The ankle and knee are the most commonly affected joints. The American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine describes an ankle sprain as the most common sports injury accounting for up to 40% of all athletic injuries. Sprains are classified into three grades according to severity:
- Grade I Sprain Mild stretching or micro-tears in the ligament, associated with minor pain and swelling.
- Grade II Sprain: The ligament partially tears, and there is moderate pain with joint instability and some impairment in function.
- Grade III Sprain: This is a complete tear that may be surgically repaired and followed with long-term rehabilitation.
Ligament sprains are appropriately treated to ensure restoration of joint stability, minimizing the chance of chronic instability.
Tendon Injuries
Tendons are fibrous tissues that attach muscles to bones and can be easily injured due to overuse or trauma. Diseases include inflammation of the tendon, such as tendinitis, which is common in runners, tennis players, and basketball players. A rupture of any one of these tendons is also a form of injury to the tendon. Achilles tendon injuries are common among runners and severely impede the functionalities of an athlete regarding high-impact activities. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility.
The treatment for tendon injury may include resting the affected area, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery in case of severe damage. In some cases, if left untreated, it could be that tendinitis remains for a lifetime causing discomfort and problems in mobility continuously.
Fractured Bones
Fractures, or broken bones, typically result from direct trauma or other forms of stress to the skeletal system. They can range from simple fractures, in which the bone is cracked but remains aligned, to compound fractures, in which the bone breaks through the skin. Other common types include stress fractures, which are small cracks that appear in the bone often as a result of repetitive forces, seen frequently in running, basketball, and gymnastics.
Symptoms and signs of a fracture include intense pain, edema, and loss of function in the part of the body with injury. Treatment varies from immobilization by cast or splint, to surgical procedures for more critical fractures.
Dislocation of Joints
A dislocation occurs when the bones in a joint are forced or shifted out of their natural position, often due to sudden impact or trauma. Dislocations are very common in contact sports such as football, basketball, and rugby and often take place along with the shoulder, knee, and fingers. Visible deformity, intense pain, and limited mobility are symptoms associated with a dislocation.
It needs immediate medical attention for the repositioning of the joint and to avoid further injury. After a dislocation, physical therapy is usually necessary to achieve complete strength and range of motion and to prevent the re-injury of the injury.
Conclusion
The nature of sports injuries is quite complex and involves various regions of the musculoskeletal system: muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. The anatomy of sports injuries explains their management and prevention. In conjunction with a specialized physical therapist, such as those at FYZICAL Easton Commons, athletes can receive specific rehabilitation plans tailored to their specific injuries. Our goal is to get you back to what you love to do most safely and quickly as possible, pain-free, and without any fear of re-injury. Whether your injury is due to a sprain, strain, or fracture, we have a team ready and committed to walking you through all steps in your journey toward recovery.