Sports Injuries

First Aid & Emergency

Exercise is good for you, but you can injure yourself when playing sports or training. Most sports injuries come from accidents, poor technique, lack of conditioning, or inadequate gear.

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About Sports Injuries

About this summary: Written by Swasthya Plus for Indian readers, using MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine as a reference source. For personal guidance, please consult a qualified Health Expert.

Exercise is good for you, but you can injure yourself when playing sports or training. Most sports injuries come from accidents, poor technique, lack of conditioning, or inadequate gear. Not warming up or stretching enough also increases risk.

The most common sports injuries:

  • Sprains and strains (ligaments and muscles)
  • Knee injuries (including ACL tears, meniscus tears)
  • Swollen or pulled muscles
  • Achilles tendon injuries
  • Shin splints (pain along the shin bone)
  • Rotator cuff injuries (shoulder)
  • Fractures (broken bones)
  • Dislocations

If you get hurt, stop playing — continuing can cause worse injury. First-line home care is the RICE method:

  • Rest — avoid using the injured part
  • Ice — a cold pack for 15-20 minutes every few hours, wrapped in cloth (never directly on skin)
  • Compression — a firm (not tight) bandage
  • Elevation — raise the injured part above heart level where possible

Over-the-counter pain relievers can help. See a doctor if pain is severe, the joint looks deformed, you heard a pop at the time of injury, you cannot bear weight, or symptoms aren't improving after a few days. Serious injuries may need physiotherapy, immobilisation, or surgery. For chronic or recurrent injuries, a sports-medicine specialist can help with assessment and rehabilitation.

Reference source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine