Trauma is any injury caused during physical activity, motor vehicle accidents, electric shock, or other activities. Sports trauma or sports injuries refer to injuries caused while playing indoor or outdoor sports and exercising. Sports trauma can result from accidents, inadequate training, improper use of protective devices, or insufficient stretching or warm-up exercises. The most common sports injuries are sprains and strains, fractures, and dislocations.
Treatment
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a major stabilizing ligament in the knee which may tear with overuse of the knee while playing sports. The ACL has poor ability to heal and may cause instability. Other common sports injuries in the knee are cartilage damage and meniscal tear. Knee injuries in sports may require surgical intervention that can be performed using open surgical or minimally invasive technique. Your surgeon will recommend physical therapy to strengthen your muscles, improve elasticity and improve the movements of the bones and joints.
The most common treatment recommended for injury is rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE).
- Rest: Avoid activities that may cause injury.
- Ice: Ice packs can be applied to the injured area which will help to diminish swelling and pain. Ice should be applied over a towel to the affected area for 15-20 minutes four times a day for several days. Never place ice directly over the skin.
- Compression: Compression of the injured area helps to reduce swelling. Elastic wraps, air casts, and splints can accomplish this.
- Elevation: Elevate the injured part above heart level to reduce swelling and pain.
Prevention
Some of the measures that are to be followed to prevent sports-related injuries include:
- Follow an exercise program to strengthen the muscles.
- Gradually increase your exercise level and avoid overdoing the exercise.
- Ensure that you wear properly-fitted protective gear such as elbow guards, eye gear, facemasks, mouthguards, and pads, comfortable clothes, and athletic shoes before playing any sports activity which will help to reduce the chances of injury.
- Make sure that you follow warm up and cool down exercises before and after sports activity. Exercises will help to stretch the muscles, increase flexibility, and reduce soft tissue injuries.
- Avoid exercising immediately after eating a large meal.
- Maintain a healthy diet which will nourish the muscles.
- Avoid playing when you are injured or tired. Take a break for sometime after playing.
- Learn all the rules of the game you are participating in.
- Ensure that you are physically fit to play the sport.
Related Topics
- Patellar Instability
- Multiligament Instability
- Patellofemoral Instability
- Posterolateral Instability
- Knee Arthritis
- Knee Osteoarthritis
- Knee Injury
- Knee Pain
- Anterior Knee Pain
- Meniscal Tears
- Runners Knee
- Jumpers Knee
- Unstable Knee
- Knee Sprain
- MCL Sprains
- ACL Tears
- MCL Tears
- Meniscal Injuries
- PCL Injuries
- Ligament Injuries
- Knee Fracture
- Fractures of the Tibia
- Patella Fracture
- Tibial Shaft Fracture
- Kneecap Bursitis
- Chondral or Articular Cartilage Defects
- Quadriceps Tendon Rupture
- Patellar Tendon Rupture
- Lateral Meniscus Syndrome
- Osteonecrosis of the Knee
- Knee Angular Deformities
- Osteochondral Defect of the Knee
- Articular Cartilage Injury
- Goosefoot Bursitis of the Knee
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome
- Bowed Legs
- Recurrent Patella Dislocation
- Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee
- Chondromalacia Patella
- Patellar Tendinitis
- Knee Sports Injuries
- Multiligament Knee Injuries
- Women and ACL Injuries
- Medial Meniscus Syndrome
- Tibial Plateau Fracture
- Tibial Eminence Fractures
- Loose Bodies in the Knee
- Osgood Schlatter Disease
- Patellar Dislocation/Patellofemoral Dislocation
