Sports Injuries
Sports Injuries
Sport injuries occur as a result of physical activities carried out either for general recreational purposes or with more professional goals in mind. They may be caused by accidents or by overuse, and they do not necessarily differ from injuries sustained in non-sporting activities.
Most sports injuries are minor but must be treated effectively if they want to go back to their sport at the earliest opportunity,
Injuries heal at varying paces depending on their severity and location. If rehabilitation is to be complete, it is essential that whoever is treating the injury should have a thorough knowledge of the healing process in different tissues and should also be thoroughly familiar with the demands of the sport concerned.
Injuries due to trauma include fractures, joint dislocations, ligament tears, tendon injuries and muscle haematomas, strains and ruptures.
Injuries due to overuse.
Over use syndromes are particularly difficult to diagnose and treat. They are becoming increasingly common as sport intensity and training increases.
This type of injury is caused by overload or repeated microscopic injuries to the muscular skeletal system. The body can be made more susceptible to injury if there is muscle imbalance,or other anatomical reasons such as malalignment of the leg.
Also there can be training errors, faulty technique, incorrect equipment and surfaces and poor conditions.
If injuries are to heal satisfactorily they must be treated in the right way at the right time. 
Treatment
The treatment includes:
  • Rest for the correct amount of time
  • Ice to minimize pain and swelling 
  • Support such as initial compression bandage and then possibly some form of taping
  • Painkillers and possibly anti-inflammatories
  • Ultrasound to speed up the healing
  • Massage -This can have fantastic result in muscle tears such as Hamstring and Calf
  • Graduated exercise regime to restore body back to normal strength and function

It is important to monitor the healing process so that the injured area is not overused and healing delayed. Athletes may not have the patience to wait for an injury to heal so the physiotherapist has an important role to play in overseeing the training program during rehabilitation.

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