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 wrist movements can stress the tendons on the outer elbow, causing inflammation or small tears, leading to pain. Painters, plumbers, carpenters, and athletes in cricket, tennis, and badminton are at higher risk. Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis): This tendinitis causes pain on the inner elbow, which may spread to the forearm and wrist. It affects golfers and others who repeatedly use their wrists or clench their fingers. Little league elbow: A repetitive growth plate injury in children, common in pitchers and young athletes who throw frequently, causing pain on the inner elbow. Ulnar collateral ligament injury: Repeated throwing can tear this ligament on the inner 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: This occurs when you roll, twist, or turn your ankle awkwardly, stretching or tearing the ligaments that stabilize the joint. It can happen when landing awkwardly while jumping, pivoting, or walking on uneven surfaces. Sports with a lot of pivoting, like volleyball, football, and basketball, increase the risk. Achilles tendinitis: This injury results from stretching the tendon connecting the calf muscle to the heel. The Achilles is the largest tendon in the body, used for walking, running, climbing stairs, jumping, and standing on tiptoes. Achilles tendinitis causes pain and stiffness at the back of the heel, especially in the morning, and is usually a chronic condition caused by overuse. Complete tendon tears may require prolonged immobilization or surgery.

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).