The musculoskeletal system, which includes muscles, bones, and joints, allows you to move and function normally. Overuse or overstretching of the same can cause painful inflammation and joint and muscle injuries. Skeletal muscles attach to the bones via tendons to help your body move and be stronger. Injuries can occur while participating in sports, accidental falls or road accidents. Learning about the most common sports injuries can help you avoid them or treat them properly if they occur.
Joint pain is no longer a disease that only affects the elderly. Young adults in their twenties and thirties are increasingly vulnerable to joint-related ailments and are known to experience acute pain in their joints. One of the primary causes of the same is an inactive or sedentary lifestyle. According to a study by the WHO, 19.3 percent of young adults in India are obese. Being obese causes additional pressure on your knees and other joints making you more prone to injuries.
Joint Injuries
Typical joint injuries occur in the knees, ankles, wrists, shoulders and elbows. These joints can swell and suffer from inflammation and redness, making them immobile and limit their range of motion. Joint injuries often occur as a result of bicycle falls, falling in contact sports, and car accidents. The common symptoms include:
- Joint pain and inflammation
- Redness
- Stiffness
- Weakness
- Swelling
- Reduced range of motion
Muscle injuries
When muscles and tendons in your body become weak, they lose their ability to stabilise joints. Weak muscles also have lower endurance during activity and are more prone to injury. Overuse of a single body part (for example, the shoulder in golf or tennis) can result in chronic muscle pain. Excessive use, pulling, or stretching of muscles or tendons can result in strains. Strains can occur suddenly or as a result of long-term use or overuse. The common symptoms include:
- Swelling
- Pain with range of motion
- Weakness
- Stiffness
- No muscle endurance
- Instable joints
Common injuries
Participating in sports, poor posture, falls or road accidents may lead to injuries. Sports injuries occur when people move incorrectly; trip and fall or make unexpected contact with the ground or with each other. Here are some of the most common injuries:
- Knee injuries
The knee is a very complicated joint that takes a lot of impact during most sports. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is frequently torn, as are cartilage tears, dislocations, and fractures. Knee injuries can be excruciatingly painful and incapacitating, necessitating surgery in some cases. Warm-ups, stretches, and good posture can all help to reduce the risk of knee injuries. - Fractures
Impact and contact sports frequently result in bone fractures which can be painful, require weeks of immobilization to heal, and may sometimes require surgery to correct. Fractures are an inherent risk in most strenuous activities, but they can be reduced by using appropriate padding, warming up, working out to keep muscles strong and flexible and practicing good technique. - Muscle strain
A muscle strain is also known as a “pulled” muscle. This injury can occur when the muscle is overstretched, overused, or misused. Muscle strains cause microscopic tears in the fibres of the muscle. Strain injuries are most commonly seen in the hamstring, shoulder, neck, and lower back. Muscle strains can cause soreness, stiffness, weakness, swelling, and spasms. - Muscle tear
A muscle strain is a microscopic injury to muscle fibres, whereas a muscle tear is a larger injury that tears a muscle and the blood vessels that supply it. Muscle tears, like muscle strains, are most common in the lower back, neck, shoulder, and hamstring. Muscle tears frequently result in an abrupt onset of severe pain, as well as bruising, swelling, and weakness. This injury requires urgent medical care. - Muscle contusion
A muscle contusion is also known as a muscle “bruise.” When a blunt object strikes the body, it crushes the underlying muscle tissue but does not break the skin. Pain, swelling, and decreased range of motion are common symptoms of contusions. - Shin Splints
Shin splints are a common running injury, particularly when running on concrete or other hard surfaces. This type of injury causes pain in the lower part of your leg, usually in the outer area where the shape of your bone can be seen. - Dislocated Joints
When one or more bones in a joint are pushed out of their normal socket, this is referred to as a dislocation. Dislocations are common in football and other contact sports. The most commonly affected areas with this type of injury are the hands and fingers, but dislocations can also occur in your shoulders, knees, hips, and elbows. Dislocations necessitate immediate medical attention to realign the joint. - Back injuries/back pain
Almost every sports activity puts some strain on your back and spinal column and so does poor postural habits. This stress can build up over time, causing inflammation around the vertebrae and back muscles, occasionally causing disc injuries and frequently causing upper or lower back pain. A sudden jarring impact can also result in an acute back injury. Back treatments range from rest to physical therapy to surgery, depending on the condition.
Orthopaedic care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital
Have you suffered a muscle or a joint injury that does not subside with rest? Consult highly trained orthopaedic doctors at our Centre for Bone & Joint for further evaluation and diagnosis. We are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to help prevent, manage, treat and rehabilitate persons with an injury. The team has conducted over 7600 arthroscopic surgeries in the past with successful outcomes. Please find the below the link for further information: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_bonejoint.html
