[vc_row][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]Do you love sports and exercise? Sometimes accidents or injuries happen, and sports-related injuries are very common. Sports injuries usually involve the musculoskeletal system including the bones, muscles, and cartilage. The most common cause of sports injuries are a result from an accident, bad form, inadequate warm-up, or from performing exercises beyond your current level of strength fitness. Some types of injuries include sprains, strains, knee injury, achilles tendon injuries, fractures, and dislocations.

The reason for this could be due to weakness in the muscles, ligaments and tendons following vigorous exercise. This is often caused by inadequate fitness and a failure to warm-up properly as well as engaging in an activity you’re not properly conditioned to do. This is often a cause of injury with people who play sports. I’ve played soccer for a while and have had my share of sprained ankles and fractures. Sometimes it was just a kick that was to hard or a simple jump up for a header and coming down wrong and rolling ankle. Hard hits to the body, hard kicks, and small collisions with opposite team can be painful.

These types of injuries you’ll usually see symptoms such as swelling in the area, pain, bruising, tenderness or even stiffness. You may not be able to bend, twist, or move the part you injured depending on how severe it is. An ankle sprain you’ll usually see right away because it’ll get swollen, bruised, and become painful and stiff when having to move. Fractures are more painful unless you have a high tolerance for pain, but you’ll see noticeable symptoms and will most likely want to get an X-ray. A fracture or a break is the worst because they take the longest to heal and can cause you to sit out for while or not have you want to come back. Sometimes you can’t see the symptom, but you’ll feel it – like getting a pulled muscle.

You’ll experience sharp pain and pulling when you extend your muscle that has been pulled.  To help with these injuries you’ll want to do a treatment called RICE. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. If you are given crutches, use them, and ask to be shown how to use if you aren’t familiar with them. Crutches can be painful under your arms if they are not used correctly, but they are important since they help to keep pressure off the injury to give it chance to heal. Elevation will help by allowing gravity to move fluid away from the injury. Having it wrapped and compressed will help as well. Ice is to help with bringing down the swelling.

The best way to prevent injuries in sports is to do warm-ups before playing. Stretching is a big part before and after activity to prevent pulling a muscle or having a more severe injury. Usually a good warm-up should include 15-20 minutes of combination cardiovascular exercise and stretching to prepare the body. Eventually your muscles will adapt and strengthen from proper warm-ups. Also, stretching can help with your flexibility in sports which is an added bonus. “Don’t let an injury be the determining factor who you are and who you are known to be. Instead try to use it as a learning experience so you’ll be better off when you come back” – Mota[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_separator border_width=”2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”5/6″][vc_column_text el_class=”minitext”]The information provided is for general interest only and should not be misconstrued as a diagnosis, prognosis or treatment recommendation. This information does not in any way constitute the practice of medicine, or any other health care profession. Readers are directed to consult their health care provider regarding their specific health situation. Marque Medical is not liable for any action taken by a reader based upon this information.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row]