Sports injuries can occur while participating in any type of sport or exercise program. The pain and inflammation can be immediate or occur over time. The most common types of sports injuries include tennis elbow, runner's knee, shoulder injuries, tendonitis, strains, sprains, and back pain.
If you experience an injury while participating in your favorite sporting activity, you should stop the activity, rest and apply ice. If the pain continues, call our office.
Back Injuries
Back pain can be caused by overuse of the muscles, a misalignment in the vertebrae, or a sprain or strain. Symptoms of a back injury include pain, inflammation, and loss of range of motion or flexibility.
Runner's Knee
Runner's knee is typically an overuse injury of the knee joint. It can also be caused by a traumatic injury to the knee, a misalignment in the joint, and undiagnosed problems in the feet. While it most commonly occurs in runners, it can occur to anyone that participates in activities that require repetitive bending of the knee. Symptoms of runner's knee include pain and inflammation around the knee joint. Runner's knee may be caused by a structural defect or a certain way of walking or running. Other causes may include:
· A kneecap that is too high in the knee joint
· Weak thigh muscles
· Tight hamstrings
· Tight Achilles tendons
· Poor foot support
· Walking or running with the feet rolling in while the thigh muscles pull the kneecap outward
· Excessive training or overuse
· Injury
Shoulder Injuries
The shoulder joint has an extremely wide range of motion. This makes it susceptible to various sports injuries, including frozen shoulder, dislocations, and rotator cuff injuries. Symptoms of a shoulder injury include intermittent or constant pain, stiffness, and inflammation or swelling.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is an overuse injury. Symptoms include pain, inflammation, and loss of range of motion. Tendonitis most commonly occurs in the elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, and the Achilles tendon.
Tennis or Golfer's Elbow
Tennis elbow and golfers elbow are repetitive motion injuries of the elbow. Tennis elbow is characterized by pain and inflammation along the outside of the elbow that can radiate down into the forearm. Golfer's elbow is characterized by pain and inflammation along the inside of the elbow. Both injuries are aggravated by continued use of the elbow and by performing tasks that require fine motor skills.