Sports injuries are those that occur during sports or while doing physical exercise. They can occur at any age and cause long-term problems without proper treatment.

How Are Sports Injuries Classified?

Sports injuries can be classified according to various aspects. One way to think about injuries is if it happened all at once or whether it was due to cumulative trauma over time. This is the difference between acute and overuse injuries, which we will cover momentarily. The next one concerns where to injury occurs and what type of structure is involved. The types of tissue that can be involved are the bone, articular cartilage, joint, ligament, muscles, tendons, bursa, nerves and skin.

To be a little nerdy and break it down a bit more thoroughly with some possible examples, sports injuries can be categorized as follows according to the classification adopted from Brukner and Khan’s Clinical Sports Medicine:

Mechanism of Injury

The mechanism of injury describes how the injury occurs.

Acute Injury

An acute injury occurs suddenly in previously healthy or normal tissue. They are due to sudden trauma to the affected tissue and appear almost immediately after the event. These injuries  can occur from direct injury, which is caused by a collision or something striking the injured area and can be known as contact injuries. Indirect injuries are due to forces that happen inside the body, like falling onto an outstretched hand causing a shoulder dislocation. It can also result from internal forces accumulated by the individual’s actions, for example, due to overstretching, fatigue, or poor technique. These can also be called non-contact injuries, like when a wide receiver making a cut tears their ACL.

Overuse Injury

It refers to injuries that appear as a result of constant or excessive repetitive activities. They develop over a longer period. In the first phase of the injury, the pain may be mild or non-existent.

How Can Sports Injuries Be Prevented?

Many sports injuries can be prevented by warming up and stretching properly before and after sports activity.

If your muscles are cold before you start exercising, you are more at risk of them being overstretched and potentially tearing. In contrast, hot muscles are more flexible and adaptable, so they can absorb both quick movements and jerks. In this way, you reduce your risk of developing acute sports injuries.

However, there are other recommendations that you should follow if you want to avoid sports injuries:

• Get the right equipment for your discipline. As simple as comfortable athletic shoes can make a difference by absorbing shock. It’s also important that you get the appropriate athletic protection for the sport you want to play. Beyond an expensive item, these items are designed to protect you and improve your results.
• Make sure you apply the proper technique. Doing the technique correctly is an essential way to avoid all kinds of injuries. Different exercises require different postures. For example, if you are doing a squat, you should make sure you don’t lift your ankles to avoid injury to your knees. If you have doubts about the correct technique, check with your coach or find a certified instructor and follow their recommendations.
• Learn to wait. If you have suffered from any type of sports injury before, do not try to do the same activity again until your injury is fully healed. The consequences of not knowing how to wait can be even worse than the initial injury. Likewise, when you are starting a sporting activity, go slow and increase the intensity progressively. Don’t try to make up for a lost time in just one training session.

What sport is most prone to injury?

The sports that are usually responsible for the highest number of sports injuries are contact sports, for example, football, hockey, basketball and soccer. The sports with the lowest risk of developing injuries are those that do not involve contact, for example, running or walking.

Other sports disciplines most associated with injuries are:

• Baseball and Softball: Shoulder injuries
• Swimming: shoulder overuse injuries are common
• Martial arts: the most common injuries are contusions, fractures, dislocations, and tendinopathies in addition to herniated discs and sprains.

Long term effects of untreated sports injuries

• Cognitive impairment: It occurs due to concussions that take place in contact sports. A concussion results in a traumatic injury that causes the brain to swell. Even if the affected person has healed, these types of athletes are more likely to develop cognitive defects as they age. The risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases is higher.
• Bone deformity: It mainly affects children or preteens who are still in their growth stage. An injury that affects the bone if not treated properly can cause deformities. This can result in a crooked appearance or the presence of a protruding bone. Also, it can cause additional problems.
• Arthritis: It occurs as a consequence of the wear of the protective surface located in the joint. This wear and tear are greater in people with sports injuries to ligaments that did not heal properly.

Similarly, not treating sports injuries immediately can lead to uneven recovery from injuries and long-term functional complications.

For example, a meniscus tear can lead to long-term cartilage damage if proper treatment is not given right away.

Tendon and ligament injuries, although they can heal well on their own, if recovery is not monitored, can increase the risk of developing repeat sprains in the future.

Diagnosis of Sports Injuries

If you suspect a sports injury, be it acute or chronic, the best way to identify and treat it is to see your sports doctor or orthopedist.

The doctor will perform a physical exam to determine the location and type of injury. In addition, your doctor may indicate a series of complementary studies to more clearly visualize the degree of the injury and, based on this, determine the most ideal treatment.

Imaging studies leading to the diagnosis of sports injuries:

• Magnetic resonance imaging. It allows establishing the diagnosis of muscle injuries, joint injuries, fractures, sprains, among others.
• Ultrasound. Visualize tendon damage.
• Computed tomography. It allows a detailed view of the state of the bones and soft tissues.

Treatment depends on the type of injury and the severity of the injury. Likewise, of the individual conditions that the affected person may have.

Immediate Treatment for Sports Injuries

All acute sports injuries should receive some type of treatment just after the injury, but there has been some controversy on what the appropriate treatments are recently. For years, it was accepted that the acronym RICE was the gold standard, but research calls that into question at this point in time. Below we will use the RICE protocol but I will be writing more content on this in the future. So if during physical training, you feel sudden and intense pain, follow the instructions below:

• Take a break from exercise and movement immediately.
• Apply ice or cold on the affected area to reduce inflammation.
• Compress the injury by wrapping the injured area with a bandage.
• Raise the limb to control swelling.

Go to your doctor immediately. Once your sports medicine doctor evaluates the injury, they will indicate additional treatments depending on the severity.

Some of the treatments for sports injuries are:

• Immobilization with a splint or orthopedic device.
• Injections of medications to relieve pain.
• Rehabilitation
• Surgery.

Treatments to Heal and Rehab Sports Injuries

Remaining injury-free, recovering quickly, and improving performance are priorities for anyone who leads an active lifestyle. Dealing with sports injuries requires tailored approaches that promote healing and enhance physical capabilities. Unlike invasive methods that may rely on medication or surgical procedures, non-invasive and holistic treatments often effectively address the unique needs of athletes. Below are some proven techniques to aid recovery and prevent future sports injuries by sports medicine chiropractors.

Chiropractic Adjustments

Healthy joints are crucial for staying active and pain-free. Misaligned joints often lead to discomfort, reduced mobility, and higher chances of injury. Chiropractic adjustments aim to restore proper alignment and improve range of motion, helping reduce pain and enhance function. For those with sensitive conditions or requiring a gentler approach, joint mobilization techniques can also be used to address restricted movement. These therapies are key to promoting recovery and maintaining joint health.

Corrective Exercises

Sports injuries often arise from muscle imbalances, improper movement patterns, or weak areas left unaddressed. Corrective exercises focus on identifying these issues and providing targeted solutions. Active individuals recovering from injuries may benefit from tailored exercise routines that strengthen weak muscles and restore balance. For example, runners with recurring knee problems might perform hip-strengthening exercises to distribute forces more evenly, while weightlifters with shoulder pain can improve mobility through specific stretches and drills.

Graston Technique

Soft tissue injuries like tendinitis and muscle strains often result in stiffness or scar tissue that limits motion. Graston Technique uses specialized tools to detect and treat problem areas in muscles and connective tissue. By breaking down adhesions and improving circulation, this therapy reduces discomfort and promotes quicker recovery. Ideal for athletes dealing with lingering pain or stiffness, it helps them return to training stronger and more mobile.

Cold Laser Therapy for Pain and Healing

Dealing with sports injuries requires modern, non-invasive solutions that help athletes heal faster. Cold laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, uses low-level laser light to penetrate tissues and reduce inflammation. This method stimulates cellular repair, alleviates muscle pain, and accelerates the recovery of injuries like tendon damage or muscle tears. With no downtime, it is an excellent option for those aiming to recover efficiently and return to their activities.

Kinesio Taping for Recovery and Support

Overuse injuries and joint discomfort can hinder performance for active individuals. Kinesio Taping provides gentle support to muscles and joints while enhancing natural motion and reducing swelling. Unlike braces, the elasticity of Kinesio Tape allows for full mobility, making it a preferred method for supporting overworked areas during recovery. It’s especially popular among runners, yoga practitioners, and strength athletes dealing with sports injuries caused by repetitive activities.

Lifestyle, Nutrition, and Supplementation Guidance

Recovering from sports injuries and preventing future ones requires a proactive and holistic approach. Nutrition, lifestyle habits, and supplementation play a vital role in speeding up healing and supporting overall health. Eating anti-inflammatory foods, staying hydrated, and managing stress levels can make a big difference in recovery. Supplementing with nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids can also help strengthen joints and tissues. These adjustments support athletes both in daily life and in reaching their performance goals.

By using these treatments and understanding the role of recovery and preventive care, athletes can address sports injuries effectively and work toward better health. Whether it’s improving strength through corrective exercises or staying mobile with proper joint care, the goal is to keep moving, reduce setbacks, and avoid injuries that can interrupt progress.

Sports Injury Rehabilitation

The rehabilitation plan should always consider the goal of the athlete and the environment where the injury occurred. The ultimate goal of rehabilitation always focuses on limiting the extent of the damage that occurred and in turn reducing or reversing the impairment that the injury may have caused.

Likewise, it prevents functional loss and eliminates or corrects any probable disability resulting from the injury.

Rehabilitation is a personalized process that involves pain management and functional recovery, flexibility, strength, endurance, and other abilities affected due to the injury.

Some definitions of sports injuries

• Knee injuries: refers to any injury that interferes with the natural movement of the knee joint. Overstretching or tearing of the knee tissues or muscles may occur.
• Bruises: This is bruising or bleeding on the skin from a blunt blow or trauma.
• Sprain: This is a stretch or tear that occurs in a ligament. This is the band of connective tissue that holds one bone to another in a joint.
• Strains: Occurs due to overstretching or as a result of muscle or tendon tears in a sprain. They are often mistaken for sprains.
• Rotator cuff injury: The rotator cuff is an anatomical structure in the shoulder joint. It is made up of 4 main muscles that maintain mobility of the shoulder. An injury to any of these 4 muscles weakens the rotator cuff and causes this type of injury.
• Fracture: refers to a broken or fractured bone.
• Achilles tendon rupture: this tendon is located at the back of the ankle; it is a thin but powerful band of connective tissue. However, it can break during some sports, causing a lot of pain and difficulty walking.
• Muscle inflammation: Any injury to the muscles can cause the muscles to swell. It also involves a weakness in the affected muscle.
• Dislocations: Occurs when a bone comes out of the corresponding joint or natural cavity. You experience severe pain, weakness, and may cause swelling.

References

• Bahr, R., Mccrory, P., LaPrade, R.F., Meeuwisse, W.H., & Engebretsen, L. (2012). The IOC manual of sports injuries : an illustrated guide to the management of injuries in physical activity. Wiley and Sons.2012
• Brukner P. Brukner & Khan’s Clinical Sports Medicine. North Ryde: McGraw-Hill; 2012.
• Avery DM, Rodner CM, Edgar CM. Sports-related wrist and hand injuries: a review. J Orthop Surg Res. 2016;11(1):99. doi:10.1186/s13018-016-0432-8