If you seek to gain a healthy and active life, you need to incorporate sports activities into your lifestyle. However, with any physical activity, you run the risk of injury. Apart from low back pain in Eugene, sports injuries can also cause pain in other areas of your body, such as your knees, hips, or shoulders hence the reason to see a doctor.
There are many different sports injuries, but some are more common than others. Here are eight of the most common sports injuries:
1. Achilles tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury that occurs when the Achilles tendon – the band of tissue that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone – becomes inflamed or irritated. This injury is most common in runners and can cause pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon.
2. Ankle sprain
An ankle sprain is a prevalent injury, especially among athletes. It occurs when you twist or turn your ankle too far, causing the ligaments – the tissues that connect your bones– to stretch or tear. Ankle sprains can range from mild to severe, depending on the damage to the ligaments.
3. Groin pull
A groin pull (or groin strain) is a common injury in sports that involve running, jumping, or sudden changes in direction, such as soccer, basketball, and tennis. This injury occurs when the muscles in your groin area are stretched beyond their limits, causing a tear in the muscle tissue.
4. Hamstring strain
A hamstring strain is a common injury that affects the large muscles at the back of your thigh. This type of injury is most common in sports requiring running or jumping, such as soccer, track, and basketball. Hamstring strains can range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the muscle damage.
5. Knee injury
Knee injuries are very common among athletes, especially those who play contact sports. The most common type of knee injury is a torn ligament, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Common knee injuries include patellar tendonitis, patellar subluxation, and meniscus tears.
6. Shin splints
Shin splints are a common overuse injury that occurs when the muscles and tendons around your shin become inflamed. This type of injury is most common in runners and can cause pain and tenderness along the shinbone.
7. Shoulder dislocation
A shoulder dislocation is a severe injury when the upper arm bone pops out of the socket. This type of injury is most common in contact sports, such as football and rugby and can cause a great deal of pain and swelling.
8. Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is a condition that affects the muscles and tendons in your forearm. It is caused by overuse of these muscles and tendons and is most common among racquet sports, such as tennis and squash. Tennis elbow can cause pain and stiffness in the forearm and make it difficult to hold objects or grip them tightly.
Sports injuries can be frustrating and debilitating, but most of them can be healed with the proper treatment. If you experience any of these common sports injuries, contact your doctor at Pacific Sports and Spine for appropriate treatment.