Whatever sport you play, and regardless of whether you’re a professional athlete or an amateur enthusiast, you’ve probably encountered one of these injuries at least once. If it does happen to you, don’t worry, even the pros slip-up from time to time.
Common Sports Injuries
Sports injuries happen for a variety of reasons: an accidental landing, a hard foul, wrong equipment, or not enough stretching and warm-up, and a lack of proper conditioning can even cause it.
Of course, the treatment for these injuries can also vary, from simple ice packs and wraps to more extreme treatments like surgery for terrible injuries. The climate of where you’re at can also play a part. Joint pain care in Long Beach, for example, will be different from the care you might get in a colder place like New Hampshire or Chicago.
Treatment will depend on the type of injury, how extensive it is, where you’re at, and what sport you were playing. Always consult a medical professional when it comes to treating an injury.
In general, joints are going to be the most vulnerable to injury, but pretty much any part of your body can suffer damage as well. Here are some of the most common:
Ankle
One of the most common places for athletes to get an injury, the ankle joint is a fragile joint made up of soft cartilage, tissue, and delicate bones. A sprain in your ankles is painful enough on its own. But if not treated properly, you run the risk of injuring the same spot again and again.
Elbow
Although the elbow bone itself is strong and rigid, it’s surrounded by soft tendons that can be injured through repetitive motions. Lateral epicondylitis and medial epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, are the most common injuries of the elbow. They can happen even if you don’t play either of those sports.
Foot
In general, your foot is a pretty hardy part of your body, with tough tissues and even tougher bones. However, an irritation known as Plantar fasciitis can occur on the arches of your feet, leading to moderate to severe pain on your heels when you walk.
Groin and Hip
Probably one of the most uncomfortable injuries you can receive as an athlete, groin strains or pulls affect both your groin muscles and your hips. Your groin muscles go all the way from your groin, up to your thigh, and terminating near your hip. A micro-tear at any of these places can result in that entire area feeling like it’s burning.
Always Seek Professional Healthcare
Regardless of the injury, always seek medical advice when treating even the slightest pain in your body. If you’re lucky, that pain you feel might just be a muscle strain. However, it’s always best to get a doctor check you up once that pain starts lingering or growing in intensity.
Often, repeat injuries happen when a previous injury is either left untreated or allowed to heal improperly. So next time you start feeling a slight twitch in your shooting arm, don’t be a hero: get a doctor.
