Sports Injuries

Sports are a great way to get some healthy exercise, but they also involve some risk of injury. Many sports injuries result from bad habits or poor preparation. Some say men—with their competitive natures—can’t help overdoing it.

You can easily recognize a sudden, “acute” injury due to the immediate pain, swelling, or inability to move a body part. It can be harder to realize you have a “chronic” injury when the discomfort may not occur until you’ve finished exercising. The most common sports-related injuries include:

Warm up and stretch ahead of time to avoid injuries

Be a savvy sportsman to avoid injuries. Warm up and stretch ahead of time, use proper equipment, know your limits to avoid over-exertion, and cool down with light stretching afterward. Ease into any new sport you take up. And don’t try to cram a week’s worth of exercise into the weekend. 

If you’re hurt, stop immediately. The RICE method can minimize swelling and keep the injury from worsening:

   Rest – Avoid exerting the injured part.

   Ice – Use a cold pack for 20 minutes up to 8 times during the first day or two.

   Compression – Apply even pressure with an elastic wrap or other device.

   Elevation – Keep the injured part raised above the level of your heart. 

Consult a physician if you suspect a serious injury. If you don’t have a primary care physician, please visit find a doctor or contact the NorthShore University HealthSystem sports medicine department.