Sports Medicine

Sports injuries occur when playing indoor or outdoor sports or while exercising. Sports injuries can result from accidents, inadequate training, improper use of protective devices, or insufficient stretching or warm-up exercises. The most common sports injuries are sprains and strains, fractures, and dislocations.

The most common treatment recommended for injury is rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE).

• Rest: Avoid activities that may cause injury
• Ice: Ice packs can be applied to the injured area which will help to diminish swelling and pain. Ice should be applied over a towel to the affected area for 15-20 minutes four times a day for several days. Never place ice directly over the skin
• Compression: Compression of the injured area helps to reduce swelling. Elastic wraps, air casts, and splints can accomplish this
• Elevation: Elevate the injured part above heart level to reduce swelling and pain.

Some of the measures that are followed to prevent sports related injuries include:

• Follow an exercise program to strengthen the muscles
• Gradually increase your exercise level and avoid overdoing the exercise
• Ensure that you wear properly-fitted protective gear such as elbow guards, eye gear, facemasks, mouthguards, and pads, comfortable clothes, and athletic shoes before playing any sports activity which will help to reduce the chances of injury
• Make sure that you follow warm up and cool down exercises before and after sports activity. Exercises will help to stretch the muscles, increase flexibility, and reduce soft tissue injuries
• Avoid exercising immediately after eating a large meal
• Maintain a healthy diet which will nourish the muscles
• Avoid playing when you are injured or tired. Take a break for sometime after playing
• Learn all the rules of the game you are participating in
• Ensure that you are physically fit to play the sport

Click on the topics below to find out more from the Orthopaedic connection website of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

• ACL Injury: Should it be fixed?
• ACL Reconstruction
• Activities After a Knee Replacement
• Additional Resources on the Knee
• Adolescent Anterior Knee Pain
• Arthritis of the Knee
• Care of the Aging Knee: Baby Boomers May Need Lifestyle Changes
• Cemented and Cementless Knee Replacement
• Deep Vein Thrombosis
• Frequently Asked Questions about Osteoarthritis of the Knee
• Goosefoot (Pes Anserine) Bursitis of the Knee
• Knee Arthroscopy
• Knee Arthroscopy Exercise Guide
• Knee Implants
• Knee Ligament Injuries
• Knee Replacement Exercise Guide
• Kneecap (Prepatellar) Bursitis
• Meniscal Tear
• Meniscal Transplants
• Minimally Invasive Total Knee Replacement
• Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis of the Knee
• Orthopaedists Research Female Knee Problems
• Osgood-Schlatter Disease (Knee Pain)
• Osteonecrosis of the Knee
• Osteotomy and Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty
• Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Tear
• Rotating Platform/Mobile-bearing Knees
• Runner's Knee (Patellofemoral Pain)
• Surgical Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee
• The Impact of Osteoarthritis of the Knee
• The Knee
• Total Knee Replacement
• Unstable Kneecap
• Viscosupplementation Treatment for Arthritis

Sports Medicine Topics

Click on the topics below to find out more from the Orthopaedic connection website of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

• Exercises for Young Athletes
• Heat Injury
• Muscle contusion (bruise)
• Muscle cramp
• Playing it Safe on the Tennis Court
• Prevent Golf Injuries
• Prevent Inline Skating Injuries
• Prevent Scooter-Related Injuries
• Return To Play
• Shin splints
• Skateboarding Safety
• Sports Nutrition
• Sprains and Strains
• Stress Fractures
• Women and ACL Injuries