Sports Injuries Causes and Remedies | Sports Medicine Mumbai

Sports Injuries, whether played seriously or as recreation, are physically demanding and a probable cause for injury. Every sportsman experiences some kind of injury or the other, be it severe or minor. Hence, sports medicine is an indispensable element in sports. 

Causes and Effects

Such injuries are usually musculoskeletal. They can occur while playing, while warming up, or even due to over-training. According to sports medicine Mumbai, improper use of exercise equipment can also cause serious injuries. 

Injuries can put the players out of their game for a short period or can even force them to retire early.

10 most common Sports Injuries

Patellofemoral Syndrome/ Runner’s or Jumper’s knee

Athletes who constantly use their legs in motion while running or cycling for example experience pain in and around the kneecap. 

Causes: 

• When the cartilage under the cap of the knee gets damaged due to repeated overuse.
• Shock to the kneecap caused by direct landing on it or blow to it.
• The knee cap gets displaced if the quadriceps is weak or too tight.
• Misalignment of bones between the hip bone and the ankle joint strains the knees and causes pain.

Treatment: 

• Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE)
• Stretching and strengthening exercises for the quadriceps 
• Custom-made shoes with better support for the feet

Achilles Tendinitis

The tendon which connects the heel to the calf muscle is called the Achilles tendon. When this tendon gets injured, it causes pain to the heel. This is a common injury in runners or middle-aged people who play sports irregularly.

Causes:

• Insufficient warm-up before exercise.
• Playing sports in which movement requires a sudden change in direction, like tennis.
• Improper footwear. 
• Playing such sports at an older age.

Treatment:

• Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE)
• Wearing appropriate shoes with enough support for the heel and Achilles tendon
• Stretching and strengthening of the calf muscles
• Physical therapy 

Sprains

A sprain is a common sports injury. It involves the overstretching or tearing of ligaments within joints like the knee, ankle, shoulder, or wrist. Sometimes severe sprains can require surgery. 

Causes:

• The powerful movement of the arms and legs like in swimming, baseball, cricket, football, etc.
• Sudden changes in direction while running, like in tennis, football, etc.
• Running or jumping or sports like javelin throw, long jump, etc.

Treatment:

• Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE)
• Keeping the weight off the injured area, using a brace or sling to prevent movement and restore alignment, etc.

Tennis Elbow/ Lateral Epicondylitis

This injury may occur in sports that require repetitive movements of the wrist and the arm, which eventually strains the tendon at the elbow. 

Causes:

• Playing any racket sports while holding the racket with poor technique, like tennis, racquetball, squash, fencing, etc.

Treatment:

• Icing the elbow
• Doing motion exercises
• Using an elbow strap for support
• Physical therapy

Plantar Fasciitis

This is a very common injury involving the inflammation of the band of tissues that connects the heel bone to the toes causing sharp pain in the bottom of the heel. 

Causes:

• Certain exercises cause stress on the heel, such as running, and aerobics.

Treatment:

• Physical therapy
• Cushioned footwear / Insole

Concussion

There are chances of head injuries in certain sports like football, wrestling, or any other sports involving contact. When there is a hit or a blow to the head, the brain is caused to move back and forth rapidly. Symptoms include nausea, dizziness, memory loss, sleepiness, headache, confusion, fatigue, and lack of coordination. 

Causes:

• A mild or violent hit to the head while playing contact sports 

Treatment:

• Rest to allow the brain to recover
• Temporarily stop playing sports
• Seek medical attention if neurological symptoms persists.

Lower Back Pain

Any sport that may cause an injury to a muscle or a ligament in the lower part of the spine can cause lower back pain. It occurs in sports such as lifting heavy weights, golf, etc.

Causes:

• Lifting weights
• Misalignment of vertebrae

Treatment:

• Rest for a few days followed by 
• Back exercises
• Improving posture / form during activity

Fractures

A fracture takes place when a bone breaks or cracks. In some severe cases, the bone may pierce the skin and protrude outwards. 

Causes:

• Repetitive movements like for marathon runners and athletes can cause stress fractures.
• Contact sports like rugby, football, basketball can cause fractures of the wrist, collarbone, ankle, shoulders, etc. 

Treatment:

• Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate ( RICE)
• Immobilize
• Splints, braces, and slings

Sciatica

This is a common but avoidable injury that is caused by inflammation to the sciatica nerve, where pain radiates along this nerve from the lower back, through the hips, buttocks, and down the leg, usually only on one side of the body.

Causes:

• Sporting activities like cycling, golf, sprinting, tennis 
• Improper or insufficient stretching and warm-up
• Repetitive twisting, bending, and lifting weights

Treatment:

• Physiotherapy
• Stretching 
• Ice packs

MCL/ACL & other ligament tears

This type of knee injury does not allow the knee to bend inwards and outwards, respectively.

ACL tears can cause more discomfort. 

Causes:

• Sudden slowing down and changing direction 
• Landing awkwardly from a jump
• A direct hit to the knee
• A sudden hit to the knee when the leg is straight

Treatment:

• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Surgery is needed in some ligament tear 

Conclusion

Sports Medicine in Mumbai recommends certain precautions to be followed by all athletes. Proper use of exercise equipment, warm-up, rest, and not pushing oneself at any sign of duress is essential in preventing injuries and stopping them from developing further.