Common Fall Sports Injuries and How to Prevent Them

As summer comes to an end, it means going back to school and back to playing fall sports. Unfortunately, with the beginning of a new season of sports, also comes the baggage of an increased risk for sports-related injuries. According to reach and a survey done by SafeKids.org, about 1.35 million kids make trips to the emergency room to receive treatment for sports injuries every year.

Playing sports can provide many of the health benefits associated with good exercise, but sometimes these benefits to your health become outweighed by negative things, such as being at a higher risk for injury. Sports injuries can range from minor to severe, and in some extreme cases, may require surgery to fully heal.

Many people play sports in some way or another, whether they are playing for fun, or competitively. There are various different sports injuries, but there are certain parts of the body that are more prone to damage than others. These injuries may be caused from lack of training, use of the wrong equipment, or due to it just being an accident. Injuries can also occur when a person is not properly conditioned to play the sport, such as not warming up or stretching muscles beforehand.

Weather your child plays soccer, football, basketball, or hockey, you should be aware of the following most common injuries that tend to occur during this time of year. These injuries include:

  1. Sprains and strains: The most common injuries are strains and strains. A sprain occurs when a ligament attached to a bone overstretches or tears, while a strain is known as a pulled muscle, when a muscle or tendon stretches too far.
  2. Knee injuries: Mild knee injuries occur when there may be tenderness or pain near the front of the knee cap, or tendonitis or inflammation within a tendon. Severe knee injuries can involve damage or bruising to cartilage or ligaments.
  3. Concussions: A concussion is known as an injury to the brain that results when there is a blow to the head. Symptoms include disorientation, vision problems, headache, dizziness, amnesia, loss of balance, difficulty concentrating, and nausea.
  4. ACL Tears: An ACL tear is noted as one of the most common injuries among athletes. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears when there is excessive force. The ACL is an important stabilizing ligament within the knee. Symptoms include knee pain, swelling, decreased range of motion, and difficulty walking.

How to prevent injuries:

  1. Have a pre-examination before starting the sports season
  2. Stay hydrated, and eat the right foods
  3. Don’t overstrain, but stretch and train moderately, as practice makes perfect
  4. Wear the right shoes, and use the right sport equipment

To learn more about common fall sports injuries, and how to prevent them, call Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland at  (410) 644-1880, or request an appointment online