Top 11 Common Sporting Injuries Treated By Physios
Now that the weather is warming up, you want a spring in your step. But what about if that spring is disrupted by an injury? It happens— an Australian Government study showed that sports injuries accounted for nearly 60,000 hospitalisations in Australia in 2016-17.
This blog will discuss the 11 most common sporting injuries we see in our physiotherapy practice. For personalised advice regarding a sports injury, book your appointment at Muscle Joint Bone Epping, Doreen or Balwyn North today.
Sprains
All types of sprains are fairly typical in sport, from the occasional jogger to the Olympic athlete. This is because we use so many ligaments when we exercise, and ligaments can be pulled or teared if they’re moved in the wrong way. Ankle, wrist, and elbow sprains are among the most common.
Strains
Strains are similar to sprains but refer to muscles rather than ligaments. Usually these injuries are minor and resting will help them heal naturally. Hamstring, groin, and quad strains are the most frequently seen strained muscles.
Knee Injuries
Any sport involving leg movement can lead to a knee injury if your leg lands or bends incorrectly. Running, cycling, and any exercise involving jumping are the top contenders when it comes to Patellofemoral Syndrome, otherwise known as runner’s knee.
Fractures
Fractures are the number one most common sporting injury in Australia, leading to 51.7% of all hospitalised sporting injuries in 2016-17. You may think fractures are similar to a strain, but they’re more serious than that— they can require surgery and take weeks of rest to heal. Fractures are most common with impact and contact sports, such as Rugby League, AFL, and full-contact martial arts.
Tennis Elbow
Don’t let the name fool you! Tennis elbow is a term used for many elbow injuries, which are actually commonly caused by golfing. Also called an injury of repetition, tennis elbow is a ligament strain due to repetitive motion and overuse. This tends to happen when swinging repeatedly, such as in tennis and golf.
Shin Splints
Shin splints are one of the most common running injuries. They can also occur after walking, or any exercise that involves overuse of the lower leg. Occurring at the front of the lower leg, shin splints typically heal naturally with rest and can be prevented with stretching.
Plantar Fasciitis
Similar to shin splints, plantar fasciitis mostly occurs due to overuse, but in the plantar fascia. This is the tissue connecting your heel bone to your toes. Also typically seen in sports involving running, it’s common in activities involving jumping.
Back Pain
Your back muscles are engaged and involved in nearly every sporting activity. The pain can occur in your upper, middle, or lower back and can cause injuries to the discs. Depending on the injury and the severity, back pain can be treated by rest or require surgery. You can lessen your risk of back injuries by warming up prior to exercise.
Concussion
Concussions are most common in contact sports such as all types of football. This injury needs medical attention in every instance, even if it’s unlikely but still suspected. In some cases, more serious symptoms can appear some time after the fact. Symptoms can involve anything from a slight headache to loss of consciousness.
Dislocation
A dislocation happens when two bones slip out of a joint they’re connected to. This happens most frequently in knees, elbows and shoulders. Any dislocation injury needs medical attention to place the bones back into position.
ACL Tear/Injuries
An ACL injury is a tear in your anterior cruciate ligament. This ligament is in your knee and connects to your leg bone. These tears are most common in sports such as football and netball, which involve moving quickly from one position to another.
Physio Treatment for Sports Injuries- Book Your Appointment Today
Muscle Joint Bone’s allied health practitioners offer reliable treatment to aid in the recovery of these injuries and others. Our Epping, Doreen & Balwyn North Physiotherapists are available to perform an assessment of your injury and create a tailored program to help you recover as quickly and well as you can.
To book an appointment, please call Doreen on 9715 0582 or Epping on 9088 8228, or click here to book online.