Weekend athletes are prone to injuries because they really get into their sport and overdo it. Sometimes all it takes is one wrong move and – ouch. Here are a few sport injuries that are common to both amateur and professional athletes.
Sprains in general and ankle sprains in particular experienced by participants in almost every sport. A sprain is the stretching and tearing of ligaments, often around a joint that is painful and causes swelling and bruising. In most cases, the best way to treat an ankle sprain is to limit putting pressure on the affected leg and foot, use ice packs to reduce the swelling and take a mild anti-inflammatory pain reliever.
Hamstring pull injuries are common among runners. The hamstring is a muscle that runs along the back of the leg and can be caused by failing to warm up and stretch properly. Another injury common to runners are shin splints caused by cumulative stress on the leg and felt as general pain in the front of the lower leg along the tibia. Resting the leg, ice where possible and a pain reliever are good first steps.
Tendonitis is caused by overuse and inflammation of a tendon that manifests itself as a deep, nagging pain in the area of the injury. Again, the best course of treatment is icepack followed by moist heat, rest and a pain reliever.
One of the most common – and potentially dangerous – sports injuries is a concussion. A concussion is a severe blow to the head that causes trauma and shakes the brain violently, causing all the brain cells to fire at the same time. Unlike many sports injuries, a concussion requires immediate medical attention and evaluation.
Even if a sports injury seems insignificant when it happens, it is usually best to have a doctor take a look at it as soon as possible. If the injury appears serious, go to urgent care or the emergency room.