International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health 2015; 1(4): 107-109 

P-ISSN: 2394-1685
E-ISSN: 2394-1693 Sports injuries: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and
IJPESH 2015; 1(4): 107-109
© 2015 IJPESH Prevention
www.kheljournal.com
Received: 25-03-2015
Accepted: 12-04-2015 T.F Gulhane
T.F Gulhane
Rajiv Gandhi College of Abstract
Engineering Research & This review provides the information about sports injuries with possible Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
Technology, Chandrapur, and Prevention. Exercising is good for you, but sometimes you can injure yourself when you play sports
Maharashtra, India. or exercise. Accidents, poor training practices, or improper gear can cause them. Not warming up or
stretching enough can also lead to injuries.

Keywords: Sports injuries, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention

Introduction
Exercising is good for you, but sometimes you can injure yourself when you play sports or
exercise. Accidents, poor training practices, or improper gear can cause them. Not warming up
or stretching enough can also lead to injuries.

1. Shin Splints [1]

Causes: "Shin splints" is a generic term for shin pain (usually on the inside of the shin) but is
correctly termed 'Medial Tibial Stress syndrome or MTTS. It is mostly caused by
inflammation of the muscles and their attachments to the shin bone (Tibia) Shin splints may
occur when the intensity of working out is increased from normal level, wearing worn-out
shoes or by jumping or running on hard ground. Normally has a biomechanical trigger.
Symptoms: Pain to touch the region, occasional swelling, and soreness to jog and walk, are
most of the common symptoms of shin splints. If a patient is suffering from this pain, he can
have a dull, aching pain in either side of the shinbone or in the muscles.
Prevention: Wearing good shoes, cross training, stretching, and not increasing workout
intensity too quickly are the best preventive measures.
Treatment: As for treatment, ice, stretching and anti-inflammatory painkillers are the best. A
good biomechanical assessment of the foot posture and strength of the gluteal muscles and
core stability for increased lower limb control
Sportsmen affected by Shin Splints: Monica Seles, Grant Hill, James Kirtley

2. Lower Back Pain [2]

Causes: Usually lower-back-pain affects runners, cyclists, golfers, tennis, and baseball players.
Bulging discs, back spasms, stress fractures sciatica are some types of lower-back pain.
Improper training techniques, weakness (especially of the core muscles) and poor preparation
is the most common reason for sports-related back pain. A slightest discrepancy in leg length
can also cause back pain in runners as well as poor lower limb biomechanics or inadequate
footwear.
Symptoms: Back pain which can be mild or severe, or periodic or chronic. Usually associated
with some muscle spasm which restricts movements such as bending or straightening and is
often painful to sit as well
Prevention: Some lower-back injuries cannot be prevented, but warming up properly before
Correspondence:
exercising will greatly reduce the risk. Having a good strong core (abdominals, gluteal muscles
T.F Gulhane
Rajiv Gandhi College of etc) can also reduce risk of injury
Engineering Research & Treatment: A simple lower-back-pain or back spasm can be treated with rest from the
Technology, Chandrapur, aggravating activity, anti-inflammatory medications, and gentle pain free stretching. Also
Maharashtra, India. applying heat to the area can help reduce the muscle spasm and hence the pain. Runners with a
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International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health
 

difference in leg length can get orthotic lifts from a podiatrist Prevention: Maintaining body position during the swing,
to correct the problem. specific prehab exercises that strengthen the forearm, wear
Sportsmen affected by Lower-Back-Pain: Andre Agassi, John tennis elbow strap.
Terry Sportsmen affected by Tennis Elbow: Sachin Tendulkar

3. Shoulder Impingement [3] 6. Achilles Tendinopathy [6]

Causes: Any sport that involves a lot of overhead movement Causes: Achilles Tendinopathy is a very common injury
may result in shoulder impingement. Shoulder injuries are among runners and people involved in sports that require a lot
most common in tennis, swimming, weightlifting, baseball, of jumping. This is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon
and volleyball. They are mainly caused due to overuse of the which is the attachment of the calf muscle to the heel bone The
shoulder, which can strain the rotator cuff. Usually comes Achilles tendon, is a very strong tendon one but not very
about because of poor shoulder and scapular muscle control flexible and hence prone to micro-tearing which results in
which therefore puts excessive pressure onto the shoulder joint inflammation. Poor foot biomechanics also a major contributor
and its associated supporting tendons (the rotator cuff). and incorrect footwear.
Symptoms: Pain, weakness, stiffness in the shoulder are some Symptoms: Acute symptoms include pain at the back of the
of the common symptoms. ankle, just above the heel especially whilst trying to raise up
Prevention: An athlete who hasn't used his shoulder for a while onto toes, occasional swelling
is more likely to have a shoulder injury. It can be avoided by Treatment: PRICE, NSAIDS, gentle calf stretching, wall
strengthening the muscles by specific weight training exercises stretching toe raises and balancing.
before playing the sport. Prevention: Warm up before stretching and exercises that
Treatment: RICE treatment and anti-inflammatory medication strengthen calf muscles.
are the best treatments available for this in the acute stages Sportsmen affected by Achilles Tendonitis: Shaquille O'Neal
then a graded rehab strengthening program for the shoulder
and scapular muscles. 7. Ankle Sprain [7]
Sportsmen affected by Shoulder Impingement: Roger Federer, Causes: When the foot accidentally turns inwards, it stretches
Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick. and tears the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. Ankle
sprains are almost inevitable in sports that involve specific foot
4. Runner's Knee [4] movements such jumping, turning quickly and running.
Causes: Knee injuries comprise about 55 per cent of all sports Symptoms: Immediate pain at the site with swelling over
injuries. Not only runners, but it can strike any athlete like a outside of ankle. The injured area becomes tender and feels
cyclist, footballer, volleyball players, and others. It is often unstable.
caused by weak quadriceps, tightness of some other related Treatment: RICE immediately for 48 - 72 hours along with
muscle groups, imbalances around the knee, poor pelvic medication (NSAIDS after 24 hrs), wearing ankle braces
control incorrect or worn shoes, and overtraining. during the healing process. Once has healed increase ankle
Symptoms: Knee pain below the kneecap and on the sides of control with balance exercises
the kneecap, particularly with deep knee bend or prolonged Prevention: Regular exercises to strengthen muscles around
sitting, and swelling in the knee are some of the symptoms. the ankles.
Often noticed on climbing stairs Sportsmen affected by Ankle Sprain: Tillakaratne Dilshan,
Prevention: Wear good shoes, replace them regularly, grade Serena Williams
your running or exercise program; choose a softer running
surface such as an indoor track rather than hard pavement; 8. Concussion [8]
strengthen your quadriceps and gluteal muscles through weight Causes: A concussion essentially means an injury (swelling) to
appropriate training. Take rest, stop before you are tired. Also the brain as a result of a blow to the head. It is most common
remember to remain hydrated before, during and after your in sports that involve sudden contact such as football, boxing,
run. Stretch before and after the activity hockey and soccer. Multiple concussions may cause
Treatment: Treatment options depend on the severity of the permanent damage to the brain. When a player has taken a
pain. Rest, pain medication, and strength training exercises are blow to the head, ALWAYS err on the side of caution.
some of the common treatment options. When you resume Symptoms: Disorientation and disturbance in vision, headache,
your workout, ensure that you warm up properly and apply ice dizziness, amnesia, loss of balance, difficulty in concentration
to your knee for about 20 minutes afterwards. accompanied with nausea. It doesn't necessarily involve
Sportsmen affected by Runner's knee: Serena Williams, unconsciousness.
Danielle Slaton, Pavel Bure Treatment: Immediate rest, mild pain relievers depending on
the severity of the concussion but never administer medication
5. Tennis Elbow [5] without Doctors advice, application of ice over site of the
Causes: One develops a tennis elbow when the forearm is blow, do full concussion assessment (assess eye pupil
overused by repetitive movements in sports like Tennis, Golf reactions etc and verbal communication with player) and
and Badminton. These are the muscles that pull the wrist back. always consult a Doctor immediately as often symptoms are
The tendons of the foreman that insert into the side of the delayed in onset and often missed.
elbow region tend to inflame that result in acute pain. Prevention: You cannot possible avoid playing a sport simply
Symptoms: Pain on the outermost part of the elbow when it is because there are such risks involved therefore the best way to
touched or wrist or fingers are moved backwards. The pain prevent concussions is by wearing protective headgear while
may worsen and radiate down the arm by activities such as playing contact sports.
turning a door knob, and grasping or lifting heavy objects. Sportsmen affected by Concussion: Steve Young
Treatment: RICE, Anti-Inflammatory medication,
physiotherapy exercises and appropriate rest.

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[9]
9. Groin Strain 615.
Causes: Due to excessive running or jumping in sports like 9. Alison Quinn. Hip and Groin Pain: Physiotherapy and
soccer, hockey, basketball, volleyball and even racket sports, Rehabilitation Issues. The Open Sports Medicine Journal
the muscles situated in the upper thigh area that serve to pull 2010; 4:93-107
the legs together tend to get strained. Often as a result of 10. TJ Noonan and WE Garrett, Jr. Muscle strain injury:
overuse or a sudden slip and strain by overstretching the diagnosis and treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 1999;
muscle 7(4):262-269.
Symptoms: Sharp pain is experienced which is sometimes
accompanied with swelling and bruising of the inner thigh.
Treatment: RICE immediately along with anti-inflammatory
medications after 24 hrs. Before returning to play the sport,
undergo a stretching and strengthening programme.
Commence pain-free activity for the muscle as soon as
possible
Prevention: Adequate stretching and warm up exercises before
playing the sport. The idea is to increase the intensity of
activity to ensure the muscles are strengthened rather than
jumping in too quickly.

10. Muscle pull [10]

Causes: Muscle pulls are very common and can happen to any
athlete. Small tears occur within that lead to a strain when
muscle is stretched too far or exceeds its tensile load.
Inadequate warm up exercises, muscle fatigue, lack of
flexibility, and muscle weakness can cause all kinds of athletes
to pull a muscle.
Symptoms: Pain in the muscle area on applying pressure,
stretch or load, swelling or inflammation, weakness, soreness,
head and redness in severe cases.
Prevention: The best way to prevent pulling a muscle is to
stretch properly before and after exercising, ensure have
conditioned it adequately prior to exercising and avoid
working out when the muscle is fatigued or weakened.
Sportsmen affected by Muscle pull: Alexandra Stevenson,
Rafael Nadal

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