Whether you’re 7 or 70, a love of the game keeps many people active in sports throughout life. Playing sports keeps your body healthy and engaged at any age.
Playing sports also comes with a risk of injury. At Dr. Louis Keppler & Associates, our team treats patients of all ages who’ve been injured while playing sports. If you’re injured, know you can come to us for expert treatment. Of course, the best approach is preventing injury. Here, we highlight common sports injuries and how to avoid them.
Common sports injuries
The following injuries are examples of what we commonly see in active athletes. The most common injuries vary depending on your sport of choice.
Fracture
A fracture is a type of break in your bones that can happen anywhere in your body. Sudden impact fractures are common in sports that involve heavy contact or high impact.
Sudden impact fractures happen from one movement, such as a hard fall. These fractures are often quite painful and cause swelling. Common treatments for these fractures are stabilization mechanisms such as a cast or brace.
Torn meniscus
The meniscus is a piece of cartilage between the thighbone and shinbone that stabilizes and protects your knee. Through sudden movement and twisting common in some sports, it’s common for athletes to tear a meniscus.
A torn meniscus causes symptoms such as knee pain and swelling. Treatment ranges from conservative (RICE — rest, ice, compression, and elevation) to surgery, depending on the severity of your injury.
Frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder is characterized by a stiff, painful shoulder with limited range of motion. You’re at risk for this common injury if you’re an athlete who regularly twists or otherwise uses your shoulder in your sport.
Typically, a frozen shoulder takes one to three years to resolve. In the vast majority of cases, treatment of this condition involves conservative measures to limit pain.
Avoiding sports injuries
Getting a sports injury can keep you sidelined while you wait for it to heal. Ultimately, the ideal approach to a sports injury is to avoid getting one in the first place. The following activities can help you prevent and minimize your risk of injury.
Strength training
Keeping your muscles strong through strength training is just as important as maintaining good cardiovascular health. Strength training helps prevent injury when you’re playing your sport.
The team of doctors at Louis Keppler & Associates develops personalized strength training programs for athletes. Your custom program addresses the needs of your body and preferred sport.
Wearing the proper gear
Make sure you always use the recommended safety gear for your sport. In high-contact sports, this includes protective padding such as helmets and shinguards. Also, make sure you have properly fitted shoes suitable for your sport.
To ensure your gear keeps protecting you, replace it regularly at the recommended intervals.
Getting a biomechanical assessment
Our doctors regularly perform biomechanical assessments on athletes to improve their stability and gait. This assessment looks at how you move, particularly in your lower body, when you’re walking and running.
Based on the results of your biomechanical assessment, our doctors can provide you with an injury prevention routine, such as recommending specific athletic shoes for your gait and alignment.
The team at Dr. Louis Keppler & Associates is dedicated to helping you stay active by avoiding frustrating sports injuries. We’re located in Independence, Ohio, and we offer doctor-developed, customized strength training and biomechanical assessment programs to meet your individual needs. Call our office to schedule a consultation today.
