Sports Injuries

What are Sports Injuries?

The term sports injury, in the broadest sense, refers to the kinds of injuries that most commonly occur during sports or exercise. Some sports injuries result from accidents; others are due to poor training practices, improper equipment, lack of conditioning, or insufficient warm-up and stretching. Although virtually any part of your body can be injured during sports or exercise, the term is usually reserved for injuries that involve the musculoskeletal system, which includes the muscles, bones, and associated tissues like cartilage.

Common types of Sports Injuries

Fractures & Dislocations

Strains

Sprains

Tears

Tendonitis

Ligament damage

Back pain

Cuts & abrasions

Bruises or haemattomas

Bursitis

Stiffness

Who is at risk of getting a Sports Injury?

Competitive athletes, such as sprinters, long-distance runners, gymnasts and rugby players, have a high risk of injury due to the intense nature of their training and the overuse of specific muscle groups. Children are also at risk of sports injuries because they are still developing physically.

The body's healing process

From the moment a bone breaks or a ligament tears, the body goes to work to repair the damage. This is what happens at each stage of the healing process:

At the moment of injury: Chemicals are released from damaged cells, triggering a process called inflammation. Blood vessels at the injury site become dilated; blood flow increases to carry nutrients to the site of tissue damage.

Within hours of injury: White blood cells (leukocytes) travel down the bloodstream to the injury site where they begin to tear down and remove damaged tissue, allowing other specialized cells to start developing scar tissue.

Within days of injury: Scar tissue is formed on the skin or inside the body. The amount of scarring may be proportional to the amount of swelling, inflammation, or bleeding within. In the next few weeks, the damaged area will regain a great deal of strength as scar tissue continues to form

Within a month of injury: Scar tissue may start to shrink, bringing damaged, torn, or separated tissues back together. However, it may be several months or more before the injury is completely healed.

How are Sports InjuriesTreated?

• RICE Therapy - if your injury does not require nedical treatment, for example a mild sprain or other minor muscle or ligament damage, you can treat it at home using RICE therapy. This therapy is used immediately after injury and continued for 48 hours, RICE stands for:
  
  Rest: avoid regular exercise and reduce daily physical activity. Using crutches or a walking stick may help if you are unable to put weight on your ankle or knee.
  
  Ice: apply an ice pack to the affected area for 10 to 30 minutes. Do not allow the ice to touch your skin directly as this may cause a cold burn. Before applying ice, wrap it in a towel or put a towel over the injured area.
  
  Compression: apply pressure (compression) using elastic compression bandages. This may help to limit swelling.
  
  Elevation: keep the injured leg, knee, arm, elbow or wrist raised above the level of the heart as this may also help reduce swelling.
  

•  Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) - The moment you are injured, chemicals  are  released from damaged tissue cells. This triggers the first stage of healing:
  
  Inflammation - Inflammation causes tissues to become swollen, tender, and painful. Although inflammation is needed for healing, it can actually slow the healing process if left unchecked. To reduce inflammation and pain, doctors and other health care providers often recommend taking an over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin or ibuprofen. For more severe pain and inflammation, doctors may prescribe one of several dozen NSAIDs available in prescription strength.

• Immobilization - Immobilization is a common treatment for sports injuries that may be done immediately by a trainer or paramedic. Immobilization involves reducing movement in the area to prevent further damage. By enabling the blood supply to flow more directly to the injury, immobilization reduces pain, swelling, and muscle spasm and helps the healing process begin. The following are some devices used for immobilization:
  
  Slings: to immobilize the upper body, including the arms and shoulders.

  Splints and Casts: to support and protect injured bones and soft tissue. Casts can be made from plaster or fiberglass. Splints can be custom made or ready made. Standard splints come in a variety of shapes and sizes and have Velcro straps that make them easy to put on and take off or adjust. Splints generally offer less support and protection than a cast, and therefore may not always be a treatment option.

  Leg immobilizers: to keep the knee from bending after injury or surgery. Made from foam rubber covered with fabric, leg immobilizers enclose the entire leg, fastening with Velcro straps.

• Surgery - In some cases, surgery is needed to repair torn connective tissues or to realign bones with compound fractures. The vast majority of sports injuries, however, do not require surgey.

Other therapies commonly used in rehabilitating sports injuries include cryotherapy (cold); thermotherapy (heat); ultrasound therapy; hyperbaric oxygen therapy; electromagnetic therapy; physiotherapy, exercise and massage; flowtron therapy; vibrotherapy and complementary approaches to promote healing and repair, boost energy and performance and minimise stress and fatigue.

RAMS Therapy Centre provides a range of therapies, designed specifically for Sports Injuries. Follow the links below for further information on these treatments. Therapies will be provided individually as stand-alone treatments or offered in combination. Each person will be assessed and advised on a suitable treatment programme.

Note: permission from your doctor or consultant may be required before treatment begins.