Sports injuries are very common in all types of sports. The risk of traumatic injury is high amongst young athletes. Some of the most common types of injuries are strains (muscle injuries), sprains (ligament injuries) and fractures (bone injuries). These injuries are caused due to stress on joints, tendons, muscles and bones.
Sport injuries can be classified as acute and chronic injury. Acute injury is one’s that occurs suddenly, like sprained ankle. Injuries that are caused by overuse of muscles or joints are known as chronic injuries. Structural defects and poor techniques also lead to chronic injuries.
Whether its chronic or acute injury, medical investigation is a must. One might take sports injury lightly but sometimes its severe. For example, what might appear to be an ankle sprain can be a bone fracture. However, when you can’t reach doctor immediately, you can take following steps to avoid worsening of sports injury.
- Safeguard the injured area by stopping the movement immediately
- Resting the injured area by avoiding any type of strain on the injury for next 48-72 hours.
- Apply ice pack on the injury to reduce the swelling and pain. Ice application on the injured area should not exceed more than 20 minutes in every two hours.
- Compression is the next immediate treatment for an acute injury, by wrapping an elastic bandage around the injury you can keep swelling to minimum. You can also apply ice over the compression wrap to reduce swelling.
- Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart to reduce the blood flow and swelling in the injured area.
- Post sports injury avoid running or exercise as it increases the blood flow and healing gets delayed
- No massaging as it increases bleeding, swelling and delays healing
- Get in touch with doctor as soon as possible