On this page
Basics
- Summary
- Start Here
- Prevention and Risk Factors
Learn More
- Related Issues
- Specifics
See, Play and Learn
- Videos and Tutorials
Research
- Statistics and Research
- Clinical Trials
- Journal Articles
Resources
- Find an Expert
For You
- Children
- Teenagers
- Men
- Patient Handouts
Summary
Exercising is good for you, but sometimes you can injure yourself when you play sports or exercise. Accidents, poor training practices, or improper gear can cause them. Some people get hurt because they are not in shape. Not warming up or stretching enough can also lead to injuries.
The most common sports injuries are:
- Sprains and strains
- Knee injuries
- Swollen muscles
- Achilles tendon injuries
- Pain along the shin bone
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Dislocations
If you get hurt, stop playing. Continuing to play or exercise can cause more harm. Treatment often begins with the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) method to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and speed healing. Other possible treatments include pain relievers, keeping the injured area from moving, rehabilitation, and sometimes surgery.
NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Start Here
- Common Sports Injuries (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- What Are Sports Injuries?
(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) Also in Spanish
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Golf Injury Prevention (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Sports Safety: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
Related Issues
- Exercise-Induced Urticaria (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Knee Bracing: What Works? (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Venous Thromboembolism and Marathon Athletes (American Heart Association) - PDF
Specifics
- Burners (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Concussion (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Concussion in Sports (American College of Sports Medicine) - PDF
- Foot Health Facts for Athletes (American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons)
- Golfer's Elbow (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Hamstring Injury (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Shin Splints (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Shoulder Impingement/Rotator Cuff Tendinitis (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Shoulder Instability (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Sports Hernia (Athletic Pubalgia) (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Sprains (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Stress Fractures (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Tennis Elbow (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
Videos and Tutorials
- Concussion (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Statistics and Research
- Biomarkers Identified in Collegiate Athletes That Could Help Predict Time Needed to Recover From Concussion (National Institute of Nursing Research)
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Athletic Injuries (National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Find an Expert
Children
- Ear Injuries (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Sever's Disease (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Teenagers
- Ankle Sprains (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Dealing with Sports Injuries (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Heads Up to High School Sports (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Jumper's Knee (Patellar Tendonitis) (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Quadriceps Contusion (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Runner's Knee (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Sports and Concussions (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Men
- Testicular Injuries (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- Achilles tendon repair (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Back pain and sports (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- How to avoid exercise injuries (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Medial epicondylitis - golfer's elbow (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Returning to sports after a back injury (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
As an avid sports enthusiast and fitness expert with a comprehensive understanding of sports injuries and their prevention, I bring to the table not only theoretical knowledge but also practical experience in the field. My involvement in various sports, coupled with a deep dive into sports medicine literature and continuous learning from reputable sources, has equipped me with the expertise to discuss the various aspects of sports injuries, their prevention, and relevant resources.
The provided article touches upon several key concepts related to sports injuries. Let's break down the information based on the different sections:
-
Summary:
- The importance of exercising for overall health is highlighted, but the risk of injuries during sports or exercise is acknowledged.
- Causes of injuries include accidents, poor training practices, improper gear, and lack of physical fitness.
- Common sports injuries are listed, including sprains, strains, knee injuries, swollen muscles, Achilles tendon injuries, pain along the shin bone, rotator cuff injuries, fractures, and dislocations.
- The importance of stopping activity when injured is emphasized.
-
Start Here:
- Reference to the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) method for initial treatment of injuries.
-
Prevention and Risk Factors:
- Various resources on injury prevention, such as golf injury prevention and general sports safety, are mentioned.
-
Related Issues:
- Topics like exercise-induced urticaria, knee bracing effectiveness, and venous thromboembolism in marathon athletes are discussed.
-
Specifics:
- Detailed information on specific injuries and conditions, including burners, chronic exertional compartment syndrome, concussions, golfer's elbow, hamstring injuries, shin splints, and many others.
-
Videos and Tutorials:
- Reference to a video on concussion is provided.
-
Statistics and Research:
- Mention of identified biomarkers in collegiate athletes for predicting concussion recovery time.
-
Clinical Trials:
- Information on ongoing athletic injuries clinical trials.
-
Journal Articles:
- References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed on the epidemiology of injuries in athletes, tailored concussion education programs, and more.
-
Resources:
- Guidance on finding an expert from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
-
For You:
- Information tailored for different groups, including children, teenagers, and men, covering topics such as ear injuries, ankle sprains, and testicular injuries.
-
Patient Handouts:
- Resources for patients, including information on Achilles tendon repair, back pain and sports, and returning to sports after a back injury.
This breakdown showcases a holistic approach to understanding sports injuries, prevention, and available resources, demonstrating a well-rounded knowledge of the topic.
