Fractures

A fracture is a break in the bone, which can occur either as a single acute injury or as a stress fracture, which results from repetitive stress on the bone. Growth plate fractures are specific to children who are still growing and adolescents. Acute fractures are usually caused by force and may result in the bone cracking, breaking completely, or shattering. Most acute fractures require immediate treatment, but compound fractures, where the bone extends through the skin, should not be neglected due to the risk of infection.

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures mostly occur in the weight-bearing bones of the lower extremities, including the toes and foot bones. These fractures are common in sports involving repetitive force, especially in activities like gymnastics, tennis, basketball, and track and field, which involve running and jumping. For instance, while running, the force on the soles and toes can be two to three times the person’s body weight, increasing the risk of stress fractures.

Dislocations

Dislocations, or dislocations, occur when the two bones that form a joint are forcibly separated. Contact sports like football and basketball, as well as high-impact sports that involve significant stretching or falling, can cause dislocations. A dislocated joint requires immediate medical attention, although sometimes the bones may realign on their own. Dislocations are painful and most commonly occur in the shoulders, elbows, fingers, and kneecaps.

Sprains

Sprains are injuries that involve damage to the ligaments, the tissues that connect bones to each other. This damage can result from a tear or stretch and often occurs due to traumas like falls or impacts that cause the joint to move out of its normal position. The areas of the body most vulnerable to sprains are the ankles, knees, and wrists.

Muscle Strains

Strains refer to the twisting, pulling, or tearing of a muscle or a tendon, which is the tissue that connects muscles to bones. Athletes involved in contact sports may experience strains, but repetitive movements in sports like tennis and golf can also lead to this injury.

Muscle Tears

Similar to sprains, muscle tears, or strains, can range from minor overstretching to partial or complete tears of the muscle or tendon. This type of injury commonly affects the muscles and tendons located between two joints.

Tendon Inflammation

Tendon inflammation, known as tendinitis, occurs when the tendon, the flexible fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones, becomes inflamed. Tendinitis often affects the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles. It can result from a sudden injury but more commonly develops due to repetitive motion. As tendons become less flexible with age, the likelihood of tendinitis increases in older adults during sports activities.

Bursitis

Bursitis is a type of joint inflammation caused by the swelling of the bursae, the cushioning sacs located in movable body parts like bones and muscles. Bursitis can result from a single incident, such as an impact or fall, or from repetitive actions like throwing a ball, kneeling on a hard surface, or leaning on the elbows for extended periods. It commonly affects the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.

Which Parts of the Body Are Commonly Affected by Sports Injuries?

Most sports injuries involve the types of musculoskeletal injuries described above. Joints are particularly vulnerable because they are constantly subjected to significant demands by the body. For instance, joints must provide both stability and flexibility to ensure mobility. Some of the regional injuries commonly experienced by individuals who engage in sports include the following:

Shoulder Injuries

Rotator Cuff Injury

Rotator cuff injuries are among the most common types of shoulder injuries. These injuries occur when the tendons and bursae near the joint become inflamed due to overuse or a sudden injury. For example, athletes such as swimmers, tennis players, and basketball players who frequently perform overhead movements are particularly prone to this type of injury.

Impingement

This injury occurs when the soft tissues under the top part of the shoulder blade (scapula) are compressed when the arm is lifted. Tendinitis and bursitis can develop in the shoulder area, leading to pain and restricted movement.

Dislocation

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the rounded end of the upper arm bone partially or completely comes out of its socket. When the tendons, ligaments, and muscles in the shoulder are stretched or torn, the shoulder can become “loose,” making dislocations more likely to recur.

Elbow Injuries

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Tennis elbow occurs when small tears develop in the tendons of the elbow, leading to inflammation and pain on the outside of the elbow. This condition is common in athletes who play racket sports like tennis, as well as those who frequently use their forearms.

Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

Golfer’s elbow is a form of tendinitis that causes pain on the inside of the elbow. The pain can extend to the forearm and wrist. This condition often develops in golfers and individuals who frequently use their wrists or grip with their fingers during exercise.

Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Injury

Repeated throwing motions can lead to the tearing of the ulnar collateral ligament, located on the inside of the elbow. This injury causes pain and can reduce the effectiveness of throwing.

Knee Injuries

Runner’s Knee

Also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome, this injury causes pain or tenderness at the front of the knee, near or beneath the kneecap (patella). It is common among runners but also affects individuals who engage in sports like walking and cycling.

Knee Fracture

Fractures can occur in any of the bones around the knee, but the most common is the kneecap (patella). This injury often results from a significant fall or a direct blow to the knee.

Knee Dislocation

A blow to the knee can force the kneecap out of its groove in the thigh bone (femur), causing the kneecap to dislocate.

Ligament Tear

Ligaments inside the knee can tear when the knee is hyperextended or twisted. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common among athletes, usually occurring when a person suddenly changes direction or lands from a jump.