Sports are a key activity that connects the community. Playing sports is a passion and a way of life for many kids and adults. These professionals who pursue sports as a career are known as athletes. They enjoy participating in organized leagues or playing pickup games over the weekend.
But these athletic activities come with the risk of sports injuries. A quick twist or a hard fall can take even the most committed athlete out of the game.
The good part is that these athletes can recover faster with expert orthopedic care. Sports Orthopedic specialists are doctors who treat all aspects of the musculoskeletal system.
They offer immediate care for bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They are experts at diagnosing and treating a wide range of sports injuries that can occur on the field or court.
This guide will highlight some of the most common sports injuries that athletes experience. Read on to learn how you can seek proper care from an orthopedic specialist.
What are the Most Common Injuries in Sports?
Want to know which is a common sports injury besides sprains and strains? Here are the top most common injuries in sports that often lead Detroit athletes to seek medical attention:
1. Ankle Sprains
Think about running for a touchdown, and your foot lands awkwardly. Ouch! Ankle sprains are the most common injury in sports. The ankle will swell up and can be painful. It is a very common sports injury.
2. Knee Injuries (ACL injuries like tears)
Your knee is a large and important joint. You jump, run, and kick with your knee. A sudden stop or foot plant, or a twist, can injure a part of your knee called the ACL. This is a serious injury to the knee and needs a lot of attention. Many common athletic injuries involve the knee.
3. Shoulder Injuries
When you throw a baseball or reach for a basketball, sometimes you can injure your shoulder. Injuries like rotator cuff injuries (muscles around your shoulder) can limit how much you can lift your arm.
4. Shin Splints
If you are a runner, you might feel pain along the front of your lower leg. This is referred to as shin splints. It is an overuse injury, which means that you have done something too much, too fast. It is a common sports injury.
5. Concussions
This is very important. A concussion is a head injury. This condition occurs from a bump or jolt to the head. It can cause dizziness, confusion, or a headache. If you bump your head, always tell an adult as soon as possible! Doctors know how to evaluate this type of injury and help you recover safely.
How Orthopedic Care Helps You Heal?
Now you know what are the most common sports injuries. Next is how to care for a sports injury. That’s where they need orthopedic doctors and their team. These sports injury specialists are like superheroes for your bones, muscles, and joints!
What injury is most common?
As we said, the most common injury is typically a sprain or strain. So, the doctor will suggest “R.I.C.E.” for these types of injuries:
- Rest: stop playing so that your body can heal.
- Ice: ice the injury to help with swelling.
- Compression: loosely wrap the injured area to provide support and maintain swelling.
- Elevation: elevate the injured area so that it is higher than your heart.
But sometimes, you need more help.
Getting Back in the Game with Sports Injury Treatment
Orthopedic physicians will assess your injury for precise sports injury treatment. They may obtain additional imaging, such as X-rays of the bones. After that, the physician will reach a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis and establish a plan of action or treatment for your sports injury. The plan may include some or all of the following:
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Physical Therapy:
It is a primary means of sports injury rehabilitation, in which a physical therapist will instruct you on exercises to recondition your muscles and increase your ability to move without pain, but they also provide range of motion to your body.
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Bracing:
Bracing or casting, for some sports injuries, requires a brace or a cast to repair the function of the injured area of your body. -
Medicine:
At times, your doctor may also prescribe medication to eliminate the pain or swelling.
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Surgery:
Athletes need surgery for acute or significant injuries. The physician may recommend orthopedic surgery, like knee or ACL repair, but again, be assured this is reserved for anyone seriously injured!
The whole purpose of this care process is to improve your healing process to ensure you can return to what you enjoy most. In addition, it will also help prevent future, more common sports injuries, such as spraining the ankle, etc.
How Orthopedic Care Helps Detroit Athletes Shine
Staying healthy is important whether you play for a school team or for fun at the park. Knowing the most common sports injuries and having a good team of doctors ready to assist means you can get out and play hard while being safe.
Don’t let a bump and a twist keep you off the field forever. With the proper assistance, you can recover, rehabilitate, and fully return to playing the sport you love. The orthopedic doctors in Detroit are dedicated to getting you back to playing recreational sports and flourishing in all of the sports-related enjoyment!
Want to learn about the top 10 most common sports injuries? Stay tuned for the latest updates.
