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The Most Common Sports Injuries (and How to Avoid Them)
Whether you’re an athlete or just enjoy staying active, injuries are an unfortunate part of being involved in sports. From minor sprains to more serious fractures, sports injuries can put a wrench in your routine and disrupt your life.
The good news? Lawrence Kacmar, MD, specializes in the treatment of sports injuries and helping you to prevent them with the right precautions at the Center for Primary Care and Sports Medicine in Aurora, Illinois.
Let’s break down some of the most common sports injuries and explain how you can avoid them.
Sprains and strains
Sprains and strains are among the most common injuries in sports, often caused by sudden movements, overstretching, or lack of proper warmup. Here’s what you need to know:
Sprains
These injuries occur when the ligaments that connect bones are stretched or torn. Common areas in which sprains occur include your ankles, wrists, and knees.
Strains
These affect your muscles or tendons, which connect muscles to bones, and usually happen from overuse or improper form.
How to avoid them
You can prevent sprains and strains by warming up and stretching before exercising to prepare your muscles and joints for movement. Additionally, avoiding sudden or extreme movements without proper training can prevent unnecessary strain on your ligaments and tendons.
Knee injuries
Some of the most common sports injuries involve your knees. It’s no surprise that these joints get an intense workout in many sports, making them vulnerable to injuries like:
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
These severe injuries are caused by sudden stops or changes in direction and are especially common in basketball, soccer, and football.
Runner’s knee
Also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome, this injury can be felt as pain around your kneecap due to overuse or poor alignment.
How to avoid them
To protect your knees from injury, focus on strengthening your leg muscles, especially the quadriceps and hamstrings, to provide better support and stability. Wearing supportive footwear and knee braces can also help reduce strain and prevent misalignment.
Shin splints
If you’ve ever felt a dull ache in your lower legs after running or jumping, you’ve likely experienced shin splints. This condition is caused by repeated stress on your shinbone and surrounding muscles.
How to avoid them
To prevent shin splints, wear supportive shoes, increase training intensity gradually, and keep your calves and shins strong with regular stretching.
Fractures and dislocations
High-impact sports or falls can lead to broken bones, fractures, or dislocations. This is especially true for contact sports like football, hockey, and basketball. Consider the following:
How to avoid them
You can minimize the likelihood of these injuries by wearing protective gear and maintaining strong bones with calcium and vitamin D. Also, don’t forget to avoid risky movements without proper training.
Concussions
A concussion is a brain injury that’s caused by a blow to the head. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, confusion, and memory problems. This type of injury is especially common in sports like football, soccer, and hockey.
How to avoid them
To prevent a concussion, wear a properly fitted helmet, practice safe techniques, and seek medical attention if you suspect you have a head injury — rest is the key to recovery!
Ultimately, sports injuries are common, but most can be prevented with proper training, conditioning, and protective gear. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting out, taking care of your body is the key to staying active and injury-free — and who doesn’t want that?
If you’re ready to learn more about how to protect your health while staying active, call us at 630-243-4215 or use our online booking tool to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kacmar today!