most-common-sports-injuries

The Most Common Sports Injuries and How to Avoid Them

, ,

Professional athletes and weekend warriors have one thing in common: They are all susceptible to a sports injury.

The Centers for Disease Control states that there are roughly 8.6 million sports-related injuries a year, and 35 percent of those injured were over 24 years old. This not only includes those who play on collegiate teams or community leagues; those who casually participate in sports as a form of exercise can also experience injuries.

 

Half of all injuries resulted in treatment at an urgent care, health clinic or doctor’s office. Among adults, general exercise was the activity most associated with an injury. Sports-related injuries are also common, particularly with those who are “out of practice” and return to a favorite sport after a long absence.

 

We recognize the frequency of these injuries in our community, and therefore, we’ve established a specialized treatment opportunity for sports-related injuries led by our board-certified sports medicine physician, Dr. Garett Franklin.

Anyone Can Experience Sports Injuries

What Are the Most Common Sports Injuries?

According to information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the most common sports injuries are:

Sprains

A sprain is a torn or stretched ligament. These are tissues that connect your bones at your joints. Sometimes, you’ll hear a pop or tear when the ligament is injured.

Strains

These occur when a tendon or muscle is stretched or torn. Tendons connect your muscles to your bones.

Knee injuries

One of the most common knee injuries occurs when your ACL—anterior cruciate ligament– is damaged. The ACL is the ligament that stabilizes your knee joint. Injuries are often caused by a sudden, twisting motion.

Shin splints 

These are caused by muscle and tendon inflammation. Often, the bone tissue is affected. Shin splints are common in dancers, runners and military recruits.

Achilles tendon injuries

This tendon connects your heel to your calf muscle. It can be injured when you land hard on your heel.

Rotator cuff injuries

The rotator cuff consists of tendons and muscles that keep your shoulder joint within the socket.

Dislocations

These result whenever a joint is pushed out of its normal position.

Fractures

Let’s take a look at how to avoid these common injuries and how our sports medicine physician in Raleigh can help you.

How Do I Avoid a Sports Injury?

By implementing a few precautions and a lot of common sense, you should be able to enjoy your favorite sports activities with minimal risk, although this does not guarantee that you’ll never be injured.

  • Wear protective equipment. This includes mouthguards, kneepads and helmets.
  • Warm-up before you participate in sports or regular exercise.
  • Check with your physician before starting an exercise program. Our internists in Raleigh will be happy to work with you to establish a routine that will provide the maximum benefits with the least risk of injury.
  • Don’t “play through the pain.” If you suspect you have an injury, schedule an appointment with us as soon as possible.

What Should I Do If I Have a Sports Injury?

Our sports medicine division offers immediate care for sports injuries. If you have, or suspect you have, a sports injury, it’s important to get professional treatment as soon as possible. Often the extent of the injury is difficult to assess without diagnostic tests, X-rays or an exam.  We have a board-certified sports medicine physician  who has extensive experience and is available to help you.

 

We treat a vast variety of conditions, including:

  • Sprains and strains
  • Concussions
  • Knee injuries (including ACL tears)
  • Shin splints
  • Tennis elbow
  • Joint injuries
  • Dislocations
  • Torn rotator cuff
  • Burners and stingers – injuries to the nerves in your neck or shoulder due to stretching or compressing them through an impact.
  • Pulled groin
  • Torn tendons
  • Hamstring injuries

 

Did you know that you can see our sports medicine physician without paying an expensive specialist copay? Appointments with our sports medicine physician Dr. Franklin are currently available at:

Why Should I See an Internist in Raleigh, NC?

Physicians who specialize in internal medicine (called internists) take a holistic approach to treating the entire body, and our physicians are experts in helping patients who have multiple health conditions, especially chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure.

 

For more information on what makes an internal medicine specialist different from other forms of Raleigh primary care, check out our previous article, What Makes Internal Medicine Doctors Different From Other Doctors? We believe you’ll easily see the benefits of using an internist for your primary care needs.

 

Contact us for an appointment and see how we can start you on your way to a healthier lifestyle.

Related Posts

Raleigh Medical Group  |  3700 Barrett Dr Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27609  |  office: 919.782.1806  |   fax: 919-782-4756
Monday through Thursday : 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Friday 8 am – 1:45 pm   |   Saturday Sick Clinic (by appointment only): 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at our Raleigh Adult Medicine site (map)

The contents of Raleighmedicalgroup.com site, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the Raleighmedicalgroup.com Site (“Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Raleighmedicalgroup.com Site!

Back To Top
© Raleigh Medical Group 2024
Web Site Design and SEO By Proclaim Interactive