Sports Injury

Rotator cuff tendinitis or tear: These are common shoulder injuries. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that act as dynamic stabilizers of the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff injuries happen when the tendons or bursae near the joint become inflamed from overuse or a sudden injury. They are common in people with jobs that involve overhead movements like painters or athletes like tennis players and swimmers Impingement: This happens when the top of the shoulder blade puts pressure on the soft tissues beneath it (bursa and rotator cuff) when the arm is lifted. Tendinitis and bursitis can develop, limiting movement and causing pain. Repeated overhead movements, such as those used by swimmers, increase the risk of impingement. Instability/dislocation: Shoulder instability happens when the head of humerus (arm bone) is forced out of its shallow socket called ‘glenoid’, either partially or completely. Once the labrum (boundary tissue around the socket) and shoulder ligaments become stretched or torn, the shoulder becomes “loose” and dislocations can occur repeatedly.

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis): Repeated movements of wrist can put excessive stress at the origin site of tendons on the outer aspect of elbow and can develop inflammation or rarely small tears, causing pain on the outside of the elbow. Painters, plumbers, carpenters, and sportspersons playing cricket, tennis, badminton who repetitively use their wrists are at a higher risk of getting tennis elbow. Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis): This is a form of tendinitis that causes pain over the inner aspect of the elbow. Pain may spread to the forearm and wrist. Golfers and others who repeatedly use their wrists or clench their fingers can develop it. Little league elbow: This is a repetitive growth plate injury to the elbow seen in children overloading their growth plate by throwing. It is most common in pitchers, but any young athlete who throws repeatedly can get it. The pain is usually over the inner aspect of the elbow. Ulnar collateral ligament injury: Repeated throwing can cause tears to this ligament on the inner part of the elbow, causing pain, instability and reduced throwing strength.

Runner’s knee: This condition causes pain or tenderness close to or under the knee cap bone (patella) at the front of the knee. It is common in runners, but it also affects people who are active in other ways, such as those who hike or cycle. Fracture: Fractures can happen in any bone around the knee, but the kneecap (patella) is the most common, usually as a result of an event like a bad fall or a blow to the knee. Dislocation: A large impact to the knee can cause the kneecap to be forced from the groove in the thigh bone (femur) and pushed out of alignment, causing the kneecap to slip out of position. Torn ligament: When the knee is overextended or twisted, the ligaments within it can tear. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are especially common in athletes. They often happen when the person changes direction suddenly or lands from a jump. Meniscus tear: Meniscal cartilage serves as a shock absorber in the knee. An awkward twist or pivot can cause a tear. They are commonly torn when the knee suffers a sprain or complete tear of the knee ligaments. Tendon tear: Tendon tears tend to be more common in middle-aged people who play sports that involve running and jumping. They often happen because of a forceful landing and sometimes from an awkward jump.

Groin pull: Quick side-to-side motions can strain the muscles of the inner thighs and lead to a groin pull. People who play sports such as hockey, soccer, football, and baseball have a higher risk of groin pulls. Hamstring strain: Three muscles run along the back of the thigh and form the hamstring. Activities that involve a lot of running, jumping, and sudden starts and stops place you at risk of a hamstring strain. Basketball, football, and soccer players commonly encounter them. Shin splints: Shin splints refer to the pain caused by inflammation of the muscle's attachment along the inside length of the shinbone (tibia), the large bone in the front of the lower leg. The pain is usually on the inner side of the lower leg. Shin splints are primarily seen in runners, particularly those just starting a running program.

Ankle sprain: You can sprain your ankle when you roll, twist, or turn your ankle in an awkward way, stretching or tearing the ligaments that stabilize the joint. It can happen when you land awkwardly while jumping, pivoting or walking on an uneven surface. People who play sports in which there is a lot of pivoting, such as volleyball, football, basketball, are at risk of an ankle sprain. Achilles tendinitis: An Achilles tendon injury results from a stretch injury to the tendon connecting the calf muscle to the back of the heel. The Achilles is the largest tendon in the body and you use it when you walk, run, climb stairs, jump, and stand on the tips of your toes. People with Achilles tendinitis usually feel pain and stiffness at the back of the heel, especially in the morning. Achilles tendinitis is usually a chronic condition caused by overuse. In cases of a complete tendon tear, prolonged immobilization and/or surgery may be necessary to restore the anatomy.

Treatment for a sports injury depends on the type and severity of the injury, but the initial management routinely includes rest, icing, compression and elevation (R-I-C-E therapy) of the injured part of the body. For severe injuries, temporary immobilization in the form of a plaster, splint or brace may be required, followed by a course of physical therapy for rehabilitation. In certain cases, a detailed radiological evaluation in the form of radiographs and/or MRI may be required. Patients with displaced fractures, completely torn ligaments might need an arthroscopic or open surgery. A comprehensive stepwise rehabilitation program is a must before return-to-sport (RTS).