With many sports and exercise programmes, the list of possible sports injuries is extensive. From strains and sprains to tears and fractures, the severity of sports injuries is broad.
Listed below are some of the common sports-related injuries we see at The London Independent, but this is not meant to be an exhaustive list.
Sprain and strains
Although often used interchangeably, a sprain is caused by trauma and is a stretching or tearing of a ligament while a strain may be from acute trauma or repetitive movement and is a small tear to a muscle or tendon.
Examples related to sports and exercise include a sprained ankle and groin strain.
Cartilage damage
The surfaces of the bones in a joint are lined with a thin layer of cartilage which allows the bones to move over one another without friction. If the cartilage is damaged from a sports injury or a disease like arthritis, it can become painful and stiff when moving the joint.
Usually, but not always, the severity of these symptoms will correlate to the extent of cartilage damage.
Meniscal tear
The knee contains two crescent-shaped menisci. Made of cartilage, these act as shock-absorbers in the joint. A tear in one or both can cause pain, stiffness and problems moving the knee.
Ligament damage
Ligaments are bands of connective tissue that connect bones in a joint together. Torn ligaments are quite common in sports like rugby and football, which involve sudden, violent forces being placed upon the joints.
One of the most common ligaments damaged due to sports is the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), one of four main ligaments in the knee.
Fracture
A high impact force to a bone may cause a break in the bone. This is known as a fracture. Different types of fracture include greenstick, spiral, hairline, compound and stress.
Some of the fractures we see following a sports injury are:
- Clavicle (collarbone)
- Humerus (upper arm)
- Radius or ulna (these are the two bones of the forearm)
- Femur (thighbone)
Bruising
Damaged blood vessels form a discolouration under the skin. Knocks, falls and bumps during sports like rugby, skiing or football are all common causes of bruising.
Often the bruise will fade naturally over time as the body heals, but more extensive bruising may need medical treatment.
Dislocation
Occurs when a joint slips out of its normal position. Common dislocations from sports are shoulder dislocation and hip dislocation. Knee dislocation may also occur but this is much less common.
As a joint dislocates, it will often cause damage to the muscles, ligaments and tendons around the joint, which may then need treatment or repair.
Other sports injuries treated at The London Independent Hospital
Whether your injury is listed above or not, if you are in pain with, limited from or concerned by an injury related to sports or exercise, our experienced team can help you.
Book a private consultation at a time that is convenient for you for fast access to assessment and treatment options.