Common Sports Injuries, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatments
By Elizabeth Quinn, About.com Guide to Sports Medicine
Sports injuries are not uncommon and can be either acute (sprains, fractures, tears, etc.) or chronic (tendonitis, overuse, etc.) Learn how to recognize and treat the most common sports injuries so they heal properly. Some can be treated at home, and some require a trip to the doctor. It's important to understand your options.
- Common Sports Injuries
- Injuries by Sport
- Overtraining Issues
- Treatment and Coping
- Special Topics - Other Issues Faced by Athletes
Common Sports Injuries
Almost anyone who exercises on a regular basis will develop an ache, pain or sports injury at some time or another. The number and type of sports injuries are as varied as the individuals who play sports, but some injuries are more likely than others.
- The Most Common Sports Injuries A-Z
- Find Your Sports Injury by Body Part
- Find Your Sports Injury by Sport
- Missed or Misdiagnosed Sports Injuries
- Tendonitis
- Head Injuries
- Knee Pain and Injuries
- Hip and Groin Injuries
- Leg Injuries
- Neck and Shoulder Injuries
- Foot and Ankle Pain and Injuries
- Elbow Injuries
- Hand and Wrist Injuries
- Back Injuries
- Sprains and Strains
- Children's Sports Injuries
Injuries by Sport
Athletes often get used to feeling little aches and pains on occasion, but some minor discomfort may actually be a more serious injury. Here are sme of the most common sports injuries, broken down by sport, along with treatment and prevention types.
- Common Baseball and Softball Injuries
- Common Basketball Injuries
- Common Bicycling Injuries
- Common Football Injuries
- Common Golf Injuries
- Common Running Injuries
- Common Skiing and Snowboarding Injuries
- Common Soccer Injuries
- Common Tennis Injuries
- Common Volleyball Injuries
Overtraining Issues
Sports conditioning requires a balance between overload and recovery. Too much of one or the other may result in both physical and psychological symptoms of overtraining syndrome. Recognizing signs of overtraining can help you change your routine to prevent problems from progressing, or even starting in the first place.
- When Less is More - Why Overtraining Reduces Performance
- Why Athletes Need Rest and Recovery
- Overuse (Chronic) Injuries
- Can You Overtrain with Weights?
- Checklist for Running Overuse Injuries
- More Kids Developing Overuse Sports Injuries
Treatment and Coping
If you have a sports injury, the first thing to do is to prevent further injury or damage. This means you should stop activity and try to discover the cause of the injury. Once you determine what is wrong, you can start immediate treatment.
- Sports Injury Warning Signs
- Immediate Injury Treatment Steps
- R.I.C.E Treatment for Acute Injuries
- First Aid for Abrasions and 'Road Rash'
- How to Cope with Injury
- Surgery and Rehab Information
- When Can I Play Sports After an Injury?
- Who Can Treat My Injury?
- Should I Ice or Heat My Injury?
- Anti-Inflammatory Treatment of Sports Injuries
- Should I Use Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers?
- What are Corticosteroid Injections - Prednisone and Cortisone
- Rehab Exercises for Joint Stability
- Arthroscopic Surgery for Meniscus Repair
- ACL Rehab Exercises
- Backward Running Eases Knee and Hamstring Pain
- How to Maintain Fitness While Recovering
- How to Use Crutches
- Ibuprofen and Endurance Exercise Don't Mix
- Sports Creams and Gels for Pain
Special Topics - Other Issues Faced by Athletes
Some conditions effect athletes more than other people, but aren't exactly sports injuries. These conditions, symptoms and other issues can often be prevented or treated if you know what signs to watch for. Here are some of the mores common issues athletes face.
