If you are a weekend warrior who only exercises intensely during the weekend, but otherwise lead an inactive lifestyle, read on about these five common sports-related injuries so that you can better mitigate your risk factors and stay safe.
Hamstring Pull
A hamstring pull can occur in sports such as football, volleyball, golf, tennis and basketball. The hamstring can become overstretched by movements such as kicking the leg out sharply or a sudden deceleration while running.
Hamstring injuries can take anywhere between three and six months to heal, sometimes even up to 12 months. Usually, the reason for such a long recovery period is attributed to inadequate physiotherapy or resuming an activity too early, causing the injury to recur.
Tennis Elbow
Another common sports injury, tennis elbow is a painful condition brought about by the overuse of the arm, forearm and hand muscles, usually due to repetitive motions in the wrist and arm.
On average, the healing time is between three and 12 months. During recovery, rest is important in order to allow the tendons and muscles to heal. Personalized rehabilitation techniques and physiotherapy are vital for this process.
Shin Splint
This condition refers to pain felt along the inner edge of the shin bone; pain that is usually concentrated in the lower leg, between the knee and ankle. Shin splints are highly common, especially among runners, who often get them after ramping up their workout intensity or changing the surface they run on. Occasionally, this can be mistaken for a bone fracture. The discomfort of a shin split usually resolves within a few days with rest and limited activity.
ACL Tear
A very common knee injury sustained during sports activities, the ACL refers to the anterior cruciate ligament – a ligament that links the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone), providing stability to the knee. ACL injuries are most common in sports that involve sudden stops, jumping or changes in direction, like football, tennis and skiing.
Surgery is often necessary for an ACL tear; with rehabilitation being focused restoring the knee’s full range of motion, strengthening of muscles, especially hamstrings, quads and glutes.
Ankle Sprain
Ligaments are strong, stretchy bands that help to stabilize our ankles. They hold the bones of the ankle together while allowing for some degree of movement. However, if there is excessive movement, these ligaments can tear, resulting in an ankle sprain.
Such traumatic injuries are usually caused by accidents or running on uneven terrain. Ankle sprains often occur when one “rolls” their foot, causing the ankle ligaments to stretch beyond their limit and tear. Sprains can vary greatly in severity, so it is best to seek medical attention for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
