Sports and exercises are great ways to stay fit and healthy but there are times when injuries can occur. One of the most common causes of sports injuries is from the wear and tear of repetitive motions of a certain activity or overuse. This is especially true for competitive athletes that normally use a certain group of muscles like runners.
Accidents can also cause sports injuries. A hard and sudden contact with another player or sports equipment can easily lead to injuries. Sports injuries are common in rough sports like football even with the protective gear and equipment players wear. The size of the football players combined with the physical nature of the sports and the speed of the game are contributing factors to the high incidence of injuries in football.
Despite the knee and shoulder pads, the braces, helmets and supports, sports injuries in football are quite common.
Sprains and Strains. These are the most common of football injuries. The RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate) is usually effective in treating sports injuries like these. RICE
Fractures. These are the more serious of sports injuries from football and require hospital care and rehabilitation with the help of physical therapy.
Turf Toe. This football injury to the base of the big toe is usually caused by jumping or running on hard surfaces. The basic approach to treatment is immobilization and allowing the toe to heal. Ibuprofen may also be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation. Physical therapy will be needed to restore range of motion, to strengthen and condition the injured toe. The physical therapist can develop techniques and correct any problem with the player’s gait to lessen the chance of re-injury.
Achilles Tendonitis. This is a painful condition resulting from sports injuries not only in football but other recreational sports as well. The Achilles tendon is the large tendon at the back of the ankle. When this tendon is overuse, it can lead to inflammation. Some factors associated with this condition are changes in footwear and training schedules. Lack of flexibility is also a contributing factor. As people age, tendons like any tissue in the body become more rigid and less flexible making them more susceptible to injury. Non-surgical treatment options of Achilles tendonitis include immobilization, shoe inserts, ice application, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy. If these non-surgical treatments do not work, the next option is surgery.
Ankle Sprains are common sports injuries that footballers experience due to the very nature of the game itself. Early detection and treatment will hasten and recovery from ankle sprains. The RICE method can be used to reduce pain and prevent swelling. Pain medications can also be prescribed. Rehabilitation of the injured ankle will also require physical therapy.
Concussions, hip pointer, torn cartilage are other sports injuries from football. Spine injuries are rare and very serious sports injuries.