Common Sports-Related Injuries

 
Musculoskeletal System
The musculoskeletal system comprises of bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments and allows us to move and function. The musculoskeltal system provides support, protection and movement to the human body. It incorporates with the nervous system to provide us with coordinated and graceful motions. Each component of the musculoskeletal system may be injured with sports activities.


↑ Bone Fracture


↑ Joint dislocation


↑ Muscle & Tendon Tear


↑ Ligament Tear


Bone
It provides support to the human body. There are two types of bones, namely the compact bone and the cancellous bone. A human body in general has 206 pieces of bones, all playing a major role in protecting organs, supporting movements, producing bone marrows, storing up minerals, etc. Fracture is one of the most common sports injuries.

Joint
A joint is where two bones meet and join. A joint is usually connected by ligaments or cartilages to allow movement and rotation. Inappropriate exercise or injury may cause arthritis or joint dislocation.

Muscle
Muscles are made of bundles of small muscle filaments. They are the only contractile tissue in the human body. Skeletal muscle is the only human muscle that is capable of voluntary contraction, thereby provides movement. They are mostly vulnerable to straining, cramp and tear during exercises.

Tendon
Tendons are made of tough fibrous tissue. They are the extension from muscles and their main function is to connect the muscles to bones. Excessive pulling may cause excessive tension in the tendons or even tear them apart at the location where tendons are connected to muscles.

Ligament
As a tough, flexible fiber-like tissue, ligaments connect and stabilize the joints. They also restrict the movement of the joints. Ligament may get strained or even torn apart in case of excessive twist and rotation.























Spinal


↑ Cervical Spine Injury
1. Spine


↑ The correct way to
move someone with
spinal injury
Cause
Severe blow to the head and neck or falls from height may cause spinal dislocation or fracture, most common in cervical spine or lumbar spine.

Symptom
Fractures may injure the nerves in periosteum, causing severe pain; small bulges caused by bleeding may press against the neighbouring nerve fibers and blood capillaries, resulting in limb numbness or paralysis; if the cervical spine sustains serious injuries, it might press against the spinal nerves and lead to breathing difficulty, coma, or even death.

Treatment
Do not move the patient without assistance from medical personnel and proper protection. If one must be moved for emergency, make sure there are enough helping hands and supportive frames. Keep the patients' head, neck, body and lower limbs in line with each other before moving.

High-Risk Sports
Rugby, Skiing, Basketball, Football











Cervical and Lumbar Spinal Degenerative Disease



↑ Intervertebral Disc
   Herniation
1. Intervertebral Disc
2. Nerve




Cause
Intervertebral disc herniation is the most common degenerative disease. Located between vertebrae, the intervertebral discs are made of a elastic material, making it ideal for supporting the body weight and withstanding external impacts. In case of repeated and excessive impacts upon the spine, however, the discs may be damaged and protrude. With heavy load in the lumbar spine, the middle-aged may be easy victims to this disease during high-imapct contact sports. Intervertebral disc herniationis also common in the cervical spine.

Symptom
The protruded lumbar intervertebral disc might press against the nerves nearby, resulting in a painful limp and numbness in the legs, or even weakness in the legs. It creates functional problems. It is a common cause of sciatica.

Treatment
Mild cases are relieved with physiotherapy; surgery may be necessary in severe cases.

High-Risk Sports
Rugby, Basketball, Football, Golf , Yoga



Shoulder Dislocation


↑ Shoulder Dislocation
1. Acromion
2. Claricle
3. Humerus


Cause
The head of the humerus (arm bone) gets pulled out of the socket of the shoulder joint usually from trauma. The injury could be from a fall or from violent twisting of the arm. If it is dislocated easily, it is usually from recurrent episodes.

Symptom
Acute painful shoulder; the arm may look longer because of the dislocation, the shoulder look more square in shape as it loses its normal rounded contour. inability to raise the arm; may injure the capsule or labrum of glenohumeral joint, leading to recurrent shoulder dislocation.

Treatment
X-ray is helpful to confirm the diagnosis and exclude fracture, the dislocated shoulder is treated by closed reduction. For recurrent shoulder dislocation, the injured labrum and capsule can be repaired by minimally invasive surgery.

High-Risk Sports
Rugby, Basketball, Football



Rotator cuff tendonitis


↑ Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
1. Rotator Cuff
2. Humerus

Cause
Ageing and degenerative changes in the tendon can be accelerated by repetitive or excessive arm motion, sometimes exacerbated symptoms can be brought on by unaccustomed sports activities.

Symptom
Pain in the shoulder; movement of the shoulder may be limited by pain.

Treatment
Rest, anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy. May need injection to the shoulder if symptoms persist. If complete tear of the rotator cuff tendon is present,, weakness in raising the arm may be felt. Persistent symptoms may require surgery to flatten and smoothen the acromion and to repair the rotator cuff tendon tear.

High-Risk Sports
Golf ,Tennis, Rugby, Basketball



Tennis Elbow/Golfer's Elbow


↑ Tennis Elbow
1. Humerus
2. External Epicondyle
Cause
Repeated, strong impacts upon the muscle group in the front arm make the muscle contract in repetitive fashion. It may lead to tendon inflammation or tear at the inner or outer epicondyle of the humerus. It usually happens in tennis and golf.

Symptom
The torn tendons may be swollen and painful, hindering elbow joint movement. One may not able to hold pen or lift objects.

Treatment
Stop exercises and rest; receive injection of pain medication; or through surgery to lossen the tendons.

High-Risk Sports
Tennis, Badminton, Golf

 
Mallet Fingers


↑ Mallet Fingers
1. Extensor Tendon



Cause
Under repeated impacts or stretching, the ligaments, tendons or joint capsule in the finger may be injured or inflamed. It may also occur when one's finger is hit head-on while catching a ball, causing tendon or ligament to tear, or even bone fracture.

Symptom
One may feel pain in mild cases when stretching; partly torn ligaments may bleed, causing bulges and pain; one may fail to straighten the end joint of the injured finger when the ligaments are torn completely.

Treatment
Rest the finger for a while and take anti-inflammatory medication. A finger-supporting brace may be used to stabilize the finger's end joint for 6 to 12 weeks. Surgery may be necessary.

High-Risk Sports
Rugby, Basketball, Volleyball. Goalkeepers are particularly vulnerable.


Hamstrings Strain


↑ Hamstrings Strain
1. Hamstrings
Cause
Hamstrings are a bunch of strong muscles on either side of the knee. When one is jogging or playing soccer. Excessive stretching may injure, or even tear the muscles apart.

Symptom
Pain in the back of the leg; inability to jog, or even walk if severe.

Treatment
Most people just suffer partial tear, which means they only need to rest and apply ice to the area.

High-Risk Sports
Rugby, Football, Basketball


Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle Injury


↑ Medial Gastrocnemius
   Muscle Injury
1. Gastrocnemius Muscle

Cause
Gastrocnemius muscle is a major muscle located in the back of the lower leg. Without adequate warm-up, one's calf muscle may lose flexibility and thus fail to support stretching movements. The muscle may be injured in case of short sprints and quick leaps, e.g. in tennis, when one jumps high to hit the ball.

Symptom
One may feel a sudden tear or hear a crack, which feels like being hit by something. The calf may feel weak and aching.

Treatment
Tear is common in most cases. It would help by taking rest and applying ice to the injured area. Surgery is necessary in serious cases.

High-Risk Sports
Short-distance running, hurdle, football, track and field, badminton


Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear


↑ Anterior Cruciate
   Ligament (ACL) Tear
1. Femur
2. Patella
3. ACL
4. Meniscus
5. Tibia


↑ ACL Reconstruction
Cause
The ACL may be twisted and torn apart when i) one is hit at the back of the lower leg; or ii) one's knee joint is under extreme stretching; or iii) one makes a sudden stop and twist. The tendons behind and lateral to the knee may be injured when one was severely hit.

Symptom
Pain and swelling in the joint in case of small tear; one may hear a puff if ACL is completely torn, resulting in an acutely painful, swelling joint and a creaky feel.

Treatment
Arthroscopic tendon replacement surgery.

High-Risk Sports
Football, Basketball, Skiing













Patellar Tendonitis


↑ Jumper's Knee


↑ Patellar Tendonitis
1. Femur
2. Patella
3. Tibia
4. Patellar Tendon
Cause
Also called Jumper's Knee. It is an inflammatory condition caused by the overuse of lower limbs in jumping activities, hitting and stretching the patellar tendons covering the knees.

Symptom
A dull pain in the knees while jumping and walking downstairs.

Treatment
Take rest and refrain from jumping; stretch the tendons before exercises.

High-Risk Sports
Basketball, Squash, Badminton, Volleyball, Long Jump













Meniscus Tear


↑ Meniscus Tear
1. Meniscus
2. ACL
Cause
The meniscus in the knee joints might be injured or even broken when one's knee joint is twisted suddenly or hit forcibly.

Symptom
The tissue surrounding the meniscus might inflame and swell, causing acute pain or a “creaky” feel in the joints.

Treatment
The torn meniscus can be repaired or removed with the help of arthroscopy.

High-Risk Sports
Rugby, Football, Basketball, Dancing


Achilles Tendon Injury


↑ Achilles Tendon Injury
1. Achilles Tendon
Cause
The Achilles tendon can be injured or torn apart in case of sudden forward strides or extreme stretching.

Symptom
Pain and weakness in the injured tendons when stretched during ankle movement; hindered joint movement in case of mild tear; swollen back ankle in complete tendon tear. One may be able to touch and feel the area where the tendon has snapped. Difficulty in walking with an injured ankle.

Treatment
For mild tear, take rest and apply ice to relieve swelling; in case of complete tear, the tendon can be repaired with minimally invasive surgery.

High-Risk Sports
Rugby, Football, Basketball, Tennis, Badminton, Squash


Ankle Sprain


↑ Ankle Sprain
1. Ligaments



Cause
Ligaments are injured if one's ankle turns inwards, twists and snaps by planting one's feet awkwardly while jumping, stepping on someone's feet, or stumbling upon something.

Symptom
Pain in the ankle while moving; bruise on the joint surface; swollen and painful joint in case of torn ligaments; inability to stand in severe cases.

Treatment
Stop doing exercises and let the ankle rest; cover it with ice if necessary; torn ligaments can be repaired by anthroscopic surgery.

High-Risk Sports
Rugby, Football, Basketball, Tennis, Volleyball, Dancing


Plantar Fasciitis


↑ Plantar Fasciitis
1. Heel Bone
2. Plantar Fascia
Cause
A painful inflammatory condition caused by excessive tear to the plantar fascia, mostly occurred after walking or running for a long time; people with flat foot arch or flat feet are more susceptible to this condition.

Symptom
Severe pain in the area where plantar fascia is connected to the bones.

Treatment
Improve flat foot arch by wearing paddings or suitable sneakers.

High-Risk Sports
Long-distance running (e.g. marathon), hiking

↑ Bone Fracture


↑ Joint dislocation


↑ Muscle & Tendon Tear


↑ Ligament Tear