Sports are physically demanding and often cause our bodies much stress and trauma. Anyone involved in sports, as a professional or amateur, has likely suffered an injury of one kind or another. No matter how good of shape you keep yourself in, injuries are almost unavoidable in the world of sports. To prepare you for what seems inevitable, let’s look at common sports injuries and their treatment.
1. Strains
Strains are one of the most common sports-related injuries because we use so many muscles and tendons when playing sports and exercising. A strain is an acute soft tissue injury that occurs when you put a lot of pressure on a muscle or tendon or push it too far. It mainly occurs in the hamstrings, quads and groin muscles.
Most strains heal naturally, but you will be required to take some time to rest. Compressing the affected area with an elastic band and elevating it above the level of your heart also helps reduce swelling.
2. Sprains
Sprains are commonly mistaken for strains, but sprains affect the ligaments while strains affect the tendons. A joint sprain is caused by overstretching or tearing of ligaments, the tissue that connects two bones in a joint. Ankle sprains are the most popular type of sprain among athletes, followed by knee, elbow and wrist sprains.
Sprains take longer to heal compared to strains and often require immobilisation. They also leave the ligaments weak and susceptible to future injuries, so if you have a history of sprains, ensure that you always support your joints using a brace.
3. Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is a condition that causes pain around the outside of the elbow. It is caused by repetitive motions of the wrist and arm, causing overuse of the forearm muscles near the elbow joint. Pain associated with this condition radiates from outside of the elbow into your forearm and wrist, making it difficult for you to grip an object.
Tennis elbow can resolve on its own, but if pain persists, see a sports injury specialist for treatment. Physical therapy is often recommended to help strengthen your muscles. Your doctor may also recommend injections, ultrasonic tenotomy [TENEX procedure], or surgery in severe cases – however a new breakthrough treatment using MST (Magnetic Shockwave Therapy) has been shown to dramatically improve the condition – you can find out more on our dedicated site RTMS London.
Are you a sports and fitness enthusiast looking for a sports injury specialist London based? Dr. Stephanie Barrett is here to help. Book an appointment or get in touch with us today.
