Most Common Sport Injuries

College, Professional, or Recreational AthletesAndrew Garzia

7 Most Common Sports Injuryo Ankle Sprain

o Groin Pullo Hamstring Straino Shin Splintso ACL Tear

o Patellofemoral Syndrome

o Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Ankle Sprain

Most common ankle injuryInjured in and inverted and

plantar flexed position◦Ankle is turned in and toes are

pointed down

Treatment for an Ankle SprainUsually self-treatablePractice PRICE

ProtectionRestIceCompressionElevation

Groin Pull

Over-stretched or torn adductor muscles◦ Adductor muscle brings leg towards the body

• Common in athletes with excessive jumping and running

Often appears in soccer and

hockey players

This is adduction

Symptoms and Severity

• Symptoms include:o Pain when raising kneeo Pain when bringing legs together

• Severity is divided into 3 degreeso 1st Degree: Mild pain, little loss of movemento 2nd Degree: Moderate pain, some tissue damageo 3rd Degree: Severe pain, complete tear of the muscle

Treatment for a Pulled Groin• Practice PRICE

ProtectionRestIceCompressionElevation

• Take anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs)

• If seeking further assistance, doctor may help prescribe stretches

Seated groin stretches are

crucial for groin recovery

Hamstring Strain

Causeso Failure to warm up/stretch before exercise

Very common, very painfulo Every athlete is susceptible to hamstring strains

o Quadriceps are much stronger than hamstringso Teenager going through a growth spurt

If severe enough, a hamstring strain may

require surgery

SymptomsPossible Symptoms

o Bruisingo Tenderness

o Pain in back thigh or near glutes during walking or straightening of leg

Contusion is a sign of a possible torn hamstring

TreatmentPractice PRICEo Take an anti-inflammatory or NSAID, such as

Advilo Hamstring Stretcheso If recommended by a doctor, perform hamstring

exercises

Shin SplintsMedically known as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome

o An aching pain when shins throb after running

o Common for runners, and even dancers

Small stress fractures in the tibia (shin bone)

Symptoms

Muscle swelling

Stress Fractures

Overpronation of the foot

Treatments

RestIceDo range-of-motionPhysical Therapy

ACL Tear

One of the most common knee injuries• Based on the severity of the tear, it can be labeled as

an ACL Sprain grade 2 or 3• 2 = Partial Tear• 3 = Complete Tear

• With a tear, surgery is needed for full function of the knee to be regained

Symptoms and Causation

80% of ACL tears are non-contact occurrences• Changing direction rapidly• Stopping suddenly• Slowing down running• Landing a jump incorrectly

Signs to look for are:• Pain with swelling• Loss of full ROM• Discomfort while walking

Patellofemoral Syndrome

Syndrome where pain is caused by softening, roughening, or wear of cartilage under the kneecap

Cause and Symptoms

Patellofemoral Syndrome can be caused by:• Overuse• Excess Weight• Injury• Knee not properly aligned

Signs towards PS may include:• Pain in squatting, jumping, using stairs• Knee buckling• Popping or grinding sensation

TreatmentThere are multiple ways to treat PS• Avoid activities to worsen symptoms• Squatting, kneeling, sitting for excessive time

• PRICE• NSAID medication• Ice and rest• Tape or a knee brace

• Physical Therapy• Exercises that stretch and increase flexibility at

the knee

Lateral Epicondylitis More commonly known as tennis elbow• Caused by overuse of arm, forearm, and hand

muscles• Abrupt or subtle injury to tendons/muscle near

the later epicondyle• Most common in dominant arm• Affects 1-3% of the population• Affects men more than women

Symptoms and Treatment

• Pain slowly increasing around outside of elbow• Pain when shaking hands or squeezing• Pain worsens with stabilization/use with force of

the wrist• Ex. Opening a jar or using a toothbrush

Treatment includes, but not limited to:• PRICE• Proper technique and use in sports• Avoid tight grip and overuse of wrist

References

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00549http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/groin-pullhttp://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/hamstring-strainhttp://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/shin-splints http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/tennis-elbow?

page=2

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/knee-pain/tc/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome-topic-overview

http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/tennis-elbow?page=2