There are two types of sports injuries: acute and chronic. Acute injuries happen suddenly while playing or exercising. The most common acute injuries include sprained ankles, strained backs, and broken bones. Symptoms of an acute injury include:

• Sudden severe pain
• Swelling
• Not being able to lean on one leg, knee, ankle, or foot
• An arm, elbow, wrist, hand, or finger that is very sore
• Difficulties in the normal movement of a joint
• Extreme weakness in one leg or arm
• A bone or joint that is visibly out of place

Chronic injuries occur after playing sports or exercising for a long time. Symptoms of a Chronic injury include:

• Pain while playing
• Pain while exercising
• Mild pain even at rest
• Swelling

Treatment often begins with the RICE method. Here are some other things your doctor might recommend for treating the injury:

Your doctor will suggest that you take one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen. These medications reduce swelling and pain, and you can buy them at the pharmacy. Another common drug is acetaminophen. This may relieve pain, but it will not reduce swelling.

Immobilization is a common treatment for sports injuries. This helps keep the injured area motionless and prevents further damage. Slings, splints, casts, and leg immobilizers are used to immobilize patients with sports injuries.

In some cases, surgery is necessary to correct sports injuries. Surgery can correct torn tendons and ligaments or put broken bones in the correct position. Most injuries do not need surgery.

Rehabilitation is an important part of treatment. This includes exercises that step by step help the injured area return to normal. Certain movements of the injured area help to improve it. Rehabilitation should begin as soon as possible. The exercises begin with a series of gentle movements of the injured area. The next stage corresponds to stretching. After a while, weights can be added to strengthen the injured area.

As the injury heals, a scar forms in the tissue. Over time, the scar shrinks. As it shrinks, the injured tissue contracts. When this happens, the injured area becomes hard or stiff. This is the time when you are most at risk of injuring yourself again in the same area. You should practice muscle stretches every day and also as part of your warm-up before playing or exercising.

Do not play sports until you are sure you can stretch the injured area without pain, swelling, or stiffness. When playing again, start slowly. Increase the activity little by little until you reach your normal condition.

Although it is good to start moving the injured area as soon as possible, you should also rest after an injury. All injuries take time to heal; proper rest helps this process. Your doctor can guide you in finding the proper balance between rest and rehabilitation.

Other common therapies that help with the healing process of sports injuries include the use of: mild currents of electricity (electrostimulation), cold compresses (cryotherapy), heat compresses (thermotherapy), sound waves (ultrasound), and massage.

The following tips can help you avoid sports injuries:

• When bending over, don’t bend your knees past the midpoint.
• Don’t twist your knees when stretching. Keep your feet flat on the surface as much as possible.
• When jumping, bend your knees when landing.
• Warm-up exercises are essential before practicing any sport.
• Do stretching exercises before playing sports or exercising.
• Don’t try too hard.
• Do cool down exercises after playing sports or exercising
• Wear shoes that are appropriate size, provide stability and absorb shock.
• Use surfaces that are as soft as possible for exercise; don’t run on asphalt or concrete
• Run on flat surfaces.

• Don’t be a “weekend warrior.” Do not try to do the physical activity that corresponds to a week in one or two days.
• Learn correctly the sport you practice. This will help reduce the risk of “overuse” injuries.
• Wear protective gear.
• Know the limits of your body.
• Increase the level of exercise gradually.
• Strive for full-body exercises, including cardio, strength and flexibility exercises.

• Develop a good physical condition to be able to play sports.
• Go to the doctor for a physical exam before you start playing sports.
• Follow the rules of the game.
• Wear protective gear that is appropriately sized and appropriate for the sport.
• Learn to use athletic equipment.
• Don’t play when you are very tired or in pain.
• Always warm-up before playing.
• Always do cool down exercises after playing.

• Group children by skill level and body size, not by age, especially when it comes to contact sports.
• Stop pressuring the child with the sport. Do not force the child to play a sport that he does not like or is not trained to do.
• Look for sports programs that have certified athletic trainers.
• Make sure all children receive a physical exam before playing.
• Don’t let an injured child play.
• Take the child to see a doctor, if necessary.
• Provide a safe environment to play sports.