When you’re working out, one of the last things you want to deal with is a sports injury. Unfortunately, though, sports injuries do occur during exercise or while participating in a sport and it can be quite common. Children are at the highest risk of injuries but adults do become injured as well. A lot of people push their bodies when playing sports which makes them prone to injury. Failing to seek treatment for your pain can often make it worse or aggravated over time. This is why it is crucial to understand and treat your injuries as soon as possible.

Who is at risk?

Almost anyone that participates in a sport or does exercise is at risk of becoming injured. You may be more at risk if you haven’t been active recently, don’t warm up properly or play contact sports. This is why it’s always important to warm up correctly before your workout and if you haven’t been working out regularly recently, that you should ease into your exercise regime.

Common sports injuries and how to treat them

Ankle sprain

Almost everyone at some point in time has experienced a sprained ankle. Generally, it occurs when the foot turns inward during movement. The turning can lead to stretching or tearing of the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. These ligaments are quite weak meaning a sprained ankle is one of the most common sports injuries. 

One thing to bear in mind with a sprained ankle is that it is still vital to keep exercising so that you don’t lose flexibility and strength in the ankle. In doing so, you may be more prone to reinjury. You don’t want to overdo the exercise on your ankle and cause more damage to your sprained ankle, but you also don’t want to avoid exercise completely. This is where talking to your doctor or a physical therapist may be useful to help you to determine which are the best exercises for you to complete while your ankle is recovering.

Shin splints

One of the most common sports injuries amongst runners is shin splints. This stress injury is felt along the front of the leg in the shin area. In some cases, the pain can be felt for the full length of the shin bone. If the pain doesn’t subside within two or three days on its own, it’s best to have a chat with your doctor. Shin splints are commonly healed on their own but you can fasten the process up with rest, hot and cold treatments and taking anti-inflammatory medications. 

Knee injuries 

Knee injuries are another common sports injury. Stress to the joints and the muscles around the knee can cause an injury. Unfortunately, injury to the knee can cause permanent damage and can take several months to heal. Some people may also require a range of surgeries in order to heal their injuries. Symptoms generally range from inflammation to severe pain and instability. You may also find that you have the inability to put pressure on the affected knee.

General treatment options for sports injuries

The most common treatments for sports injuries is something known as the RICE method. This stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This method is best used on mild sports injuries. To complete the RICE method, follow the process within the first 24 to 36 hours after you are hurt. This will help to reduce any additional pain and swelling that may occur from your injury. It may also help with the reduction of bruising to the affected area.

You may also seek some over the counter treatment options to help relieve muscle pain. There are a number of gels and creams that are available as a topical treatment, such as Zen Sports Spray or Roll-On that may help reduce pain associated with your sports injury.

If you think your pain is severe, or the pain doesn’t subside within a couple of days, it’s always best to make an appointment with your doctor. They’ll be able to assist the injury properly and advise of any further treatment that may be required. If you have severe pain and swelling, have visible deformities or bumps or have any popping or crunching sounds when you use the joint surrounding the injury, seek emergency care as soon as possible.