Injuries
are common in all kinds of sports. Acute injuries may result suddenly
while involving in sports or exercises. Severe pain can be the product
of such kinds of injuries and this will make the movement of damaged
part difficult. On the other hand chronic injuries can be resulted from
the continuous use of particular part of the body. Any body parts can be
injured. Management of the sports injuries depends on the severity and
location of the injury.
The
strong ligaments around the knees may become sprained or torn. Most of
the knee injuries are sprain and can be healed quickly. Shin splints can
affect runners. Bone fracture and joints discoloration may also occur.
This
kind of severely painful injuries are most common in professional
athletes, soccer players, football players and basketball players. This
debilitating ligament knee injuries could end career of many players.
The
anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL),
medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
are the knee ligaments more prone to injuries during sports.
Knee ligaments can be injured by:
- Sudden twisting of knee with the planted foot
- Far extension of knee
- Sudden stopping while running
- Getting hit or blow to the outer side of the knee
Tearing
of meniscus is an another common knee injury. Forceful rotation or
twisting of the knee can be major cause of torn meniscus. Each knees
consist of two c-shaped cartilages that act as cushion between shinbone
and thighbone. Injuries to the meniscus usually show signs like
swelling, severe pain and stiffness in the knees. It can cause
persistent knee pain. The players who participate in contact sports like
football and hockey are at an increased risk of knee meniscal injuries.
Physical therapies, medications and surgeries are the treatment options.
Cartilage
is tough and flexible tissue which acts as shock absorbers, found
throughout the body. The types of cartilages are elastic cartilage,
fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage.
Knee
cartilage injury is a common type of injury mostly results from sports
activities. The symptoms are swelling, joint pain and stiffness reduced
movement of affected area. All the above types of cartilages can be
affected.
Physiotherapy
and use of anti-inflammatory drugs are effective in relieving pain and
related effects of injuries. Knee replacement or hip replacement
surgeries are recommended for chronic conditions.
Patellar
instability is the morphologic patellofemoral joint abnormality which
can consequently lead to hazardous patellar dislocations. Sudden
twisting damages to the knees can result in patellar instability.
Many
of the patients with first time patellar instability, will avoid
recurrent dislocation through conservative management. Chronic patellar
instability, if left treated, can lead to severe arthritis. Aim of the
surgery is to treat the knee damage produced by patellar dislocation.
Shoulders
are the part of the body that are most vulnerable to dislocation and
other injuries. Shoulder dislocation occurs when the completely
displacement of the head of the humerus called the ball out of the the
socket (glenoid) takes place. It happens when direct blow to the
shoulder occurs or from repeated and forceful throwing in sports.
Repeated
dislocation can lead to recurrent dislocation of the shoulder and
shoulder instability. Arthroscopic bankart repair, open bankart repair
and bony operations are surgical procedures used for treating shoulder
trans location. Patients with shoulder instability should have to
undergo surgeries to come back to regular life. Non-surgical procedures
are suitable for those who are not involving in strenuous activities and
sports.
A
rotator cuff tear is a major cause of pain and disability in most of
the people especially in adults. A torn rotator cuff in your shoulder
will make your shoulder weaker. This can make your daily activities more
difficult to perform. Injuries and degeneration are the two major
causes of rotator cuff tear.
Surgical
and non-surgical procedures are available for the treatment of rotator
cuff tear. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, muscle
strengthening exercises and physiotherapy and steroid injection are the
common non-surgical treatment options. Surgeries are recommended if you
are not getting benefit from non-surgical procedures.
Dr. Raju Easwaran
, one of the best sports medicine specialist in New Delhi specializes
in providing comprehensive sports medicine services including the
diagnosis and treatment of athletic injuries.
