Back to school means it’s back to sports. When your student athlete is out on the field or court, they are at risk for a number of injuries that can occur during play. Sports injuries are commonly caused by overuse, direct impact, or the application of force that is greater than the body part can withstand.
There are two kinds of sports injuries: acute and chronic.
Acute
An acute injury is an injury that occurs suddenly, such as a sprained ankle caused by an awkward landing.
Chronic
A chronic injury is caused by overuse of muscle groups or joints, or poor technique that can contribute to structural abnormalities.
Some common sports injuries that occur include:
- Bumps and scrapes
- Minor cuts
- Stitches
- Ankle/foot sprains
- Hamstring strain
- Shin splints
- Tennis elbow
How to Prevent Sports Injuries
You can reduce your risk of sports injuries if you:
- Warm up by going through the motions of your sport and performing slow, sustained stretches
- Wear the appropriate footwear
- Use the appropriate safety equipment such as mouth guards, helmets and pads
- Tape or strap vulnerable joints
- Drink plenty fluids before, during, and after the game
- Practice strength training to ensure overall fitness and muscle strength
- Practice good form and technique
- Allow adequate recovery time between sessions
- Have regular physicals to assess current health and detect underlying conditions
Where to Get Help for Injuries
AFC Urgent Care Bridgeport provides a number of services for athletes, from sports physicals to sports injury treatment. For more information on the services we provide, please call us at either of our Bridgeport location:
Boston Ave: 203-333-4400
Main Street: 203-916-5151
