Sports Injuries by Body-Part

Head Injuries

Head injuries are typically caused by trauma to the head and in many cases can be directly related to brain injury. Along with a possible injury to the brain, most head injury cases entail an injury to the skull or the scalp. Although most head injuries are very minor it is important to understand the symptoms related with a severe head injury in order to take the appropriate precautions with this type of injury. If you believe that you or someone else has suffered from a head injury you should ensure that you stabilize the head due to the potential of spinal cord or brain injury. In many cases it can be difficult to fully understand the extent of the injury so it is very important to seek medical attention when a head injury is suspected.

Neck Injuries

The neck is most often identified as the portion of the body that connects the head to the body. It is important to understand that different parts of the neck are connected to one another so when one part is injured there are often multiple parts of the neck that are injured as well. The different bones, tissues and nerves throughout the neck all work in conjunction to support and help aid in the movement of the head. It is important to read through all of the different injury summaries because in many cases, there are multiple injuries that an individual is suffering from simultaneously.

Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries are some of the most common musculoskeletal injuries seen in the human body. The shoulder is a ball and socket joint but unlike the hip which has a deep socket, the shoulders socket is very shallow which leads to the many different injuries that occur in this area. The shoulder is the most unstable joint in the body and is made up of three bones: the clavicle, scapula and humerus. Along with these bones there are multiple tendons, ligaments and muscles that are located in this joint of the body which makes the shoulder one of the hardest areas to diagnose an injury. Shoulder injuries are most common in athletes and in many cases the symptoms are minimal at first, and continue to get worse as the athlete tries to play through those symptoms.

Back Injuries

Back injuries are very common not only in sports but also in peoples day to day activities. The back is segmented into an upper and lower section; the upper back is classified as the segment of the back from the waist up to the shoulders and the lower back is the smaller segment that covers below the waist into the upper portion of the buttocks. Injuries to the upper or lower spine are often difficult to diagnose which is why it is important to consult with a physician when this injury is expected. Most back injuries will begin feeling better within a matter of days, but it often takes extended periods of time for these injuries to fully heal. Read below to help better understand what injury you may be up against, and how you can get on the road to recovery.

Chest Injuries

Chest pain is one of the most common complaints among the athletic population, and it is extremely important to seek immediate medical attention if you believe you are suffering from chest pains. Injuries to the chest can range in severity and should all be treated with care. The chest is one of the larger muscle groups in the body, and is located in the anterior or front portion of the upper body. The chest or pectoral muscle helps to protect one of the most vital organs in the body, the heart. Most injuries to this portion of the body require extreme force or trauma to cause an injury, but there are some instances where injuries can be very mild. Read below to help better understand what injury you may be up against and how you can get on the road to recovery.

Abdominal Injuries

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Hip Injuries

The joint of the hip is the area where the head of the femur connects with the acetabellum of the pelvis. This joint is a very sturdy ball and socket joint that is strengthened and stabilized by the ligaments in this area. Injuries to the hip are very common not only in sporting events, but also in peoples day to day activities because the hip is a weight bearing joint that is used with every step we take. The majority of injuries to the hip are a result of a direct blow to the joint, a fall or from overworking the muscles in the hip region. These injuries can range in severity and can come in the shape of a fractured bone or damage to the soft tissues. Recovering from a hip injury can be difficult and extended due to the hip being one of the few weight bearing joints in the body, along with the knee and ankle. It is this reason that it is crucial to receive a proper diagnosis and begin the proper treatment plan.

Upper Leg Injuries

Injuries to the upper leg are some of the most common musculoskeletal injuries seen in sports of all types. The anterior or front portion of the upper leg is made up of four muscles known as the quadriceps .The back portion is made up of a group of three muscles known as the hamstring muscles. These muscles along with multiple tendons and ligaments surround the femur which is the only bone that makes up the upper leg. Most sports related injuries are a result of injuries to the soft tissues in the upper leg and are often a result of improper flexibility training or strength imbalances in portions of the leg. It is important to get on the proper treatment plan to help rehabilitate the upper leg injury. If it is a soft tissue injury, then you can treat the initial stages of the injury by following the R.I.C.E. treatment method.

Knee Injuries

Although the knee joint has a very simple purpose which is to bend and extend, knee injuries are some of the most common in sports as well as in individuals everyday lives. This weight bearing joint is made up of different bones as well as soft tissues including muscles, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. Due to the complexity of the knee joint, there are a wide range of injuries that can happen, so it is important to become as educated as possible on how to prevent these injuries from occurring. Also, it is equally as important to understand how to rehabilitate knee injuries if they happen to occur. It is crucial to get on the proper treatment plan to help rehabilitate the specific knee injury that you may be suffering from. Please note that if you are suffering from a soft tissue injury, then you can treat the initial stages of the injury by following the R.I.C.E. treatment method, but if there are lingering symptoms then surgical intervention may be required. The knee is one of the most commonly operated on areas of the body, and it is an especially common procedure performed on athletes in all sports. Please see the common knee surgeries section of sports injury advice to better understand the different procedures.

Lower Leg Injuries

Injuries to the lower leg are very common in all sports due to the amount of constant stress that is placed on this portion of the body during running, jumping or suddenly starting or stopping. The lower leg consists of two bones: the tibia which is the larger weight bearing bone and the fibula which is the smaller bone on the outside of the lower leg. Along with these two bones there are also soft tissues in the lower leg that are susceptible to injury, primarily the calf muscles and Achilles tendon. Injuries to the lower leg can be caused by something as little as having bad running shoes or as big as a traumatic blow to the lower leg that causes a tibia fracture or fibula fracture, or both. There are many reasons as to why these injuries to the lower leg may occur, which is why it is important to seek medical attention to get an accurate diagnosis. If you are looking for an immediate answer, you should read through some of the possible lower leg injuries listed below.

Ankle Injuries

Ankle Injuries are some of the most commonly seen injuries in sports of all types resulting from the fact that the ankle supports the entire weight of the body. Whether you are playing in competitive sports or you are an ordinary person working around the house, everyone is susceptible to an ankle injury. In most cases injuries to the ankle in sports are suffered due to a sudden change in direction or from landing on the ankle unexpectedly without the proper support. The unfortunate part about injuries suffered to the small joint of the ankle is in many cases are recurring injuries, so it is crucial that you do all you can to prevent these injuries from occurring in the first place. Many people find it very helpful to wear the proper ankle brace to help prevent ankle injuries from occurring or recurring.

Foot Injuries

Foot injuries are some of the most commonly seen in all sports due to the foot being utilized in almost everything that we do, whether in sports or everyday life. The feet bear the weight of the entire body and this leads to an increased likelihood of injury. The foot is made up of different bones as well as soft tissues including muscles, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. There are a wide range of injuries that can occur to the foot, so it is important to become as educated as possible on how to prevent these injuries from occurring, and it is equally as important to understand how to rehabilitate the injury if it occurs. Remember that this is a very complex area of the body, and it is important to seek medical attention if you have suffered from any of these injuries because neglecting a foot injury can lead to further damage in the foot or in surrounding areas.

Upper Arm Injuries

Injuries to the arm are very common amongst athletes as well as in non-athletic activities. When analyzing injuries to the arm, it is important to note that most of the injuries to the upper arm are typically related to muscle or tendon injuries. Lower arm injuries are typically related to fractures of the bones. It is important to understand the differences between injuries in each region of the arm due to the different injury prevention and treatment techniques that may be utilized. In many cases the pain felt in the upper arm can also be directly linked to an injury or muscle spasm that may have occurred in the neck or shoulder area. Read below to help better understand what injury you may be up against, and how you can get on the quick road to recovery.

Elbow Injuries

Whether you are in a high contact sport such as football or low contact sport such as golf or tennis, elbow injuries are a very common injury suffered in all types of sports. The elbow is a hinge joint that is made up of the three bones in the arm; the humerus, radius and ulna. Along with these bones there are multiple tendons, ligaments and muscles located in this area of the body. Due to their being so many bones and soft tissues in such a small region of the body, it is often difficult to diagnose the full extent of the injury. Injuries to the elbow are not often severe enough to require surgical intervention, so it is important to fully understand the different types of injuries that may occur in this joint. Read below to help better understand what injury you may be up against and how you can get on the quick road to recovery.

Forearm Injuries

Injuries to the arm are very common amongst athletes as well as in non-athletic activities. When analyzing injuries to the arm, it is important to note that most of the injuries to the upper arm are typically related to muscle or tendon injuries. Lower arm injuries are typically related to fractures of the bones. It is important to understand the differences between injuries in each region of the arm due to the different injury prevention and treatment techniques that may be utilized. In many cases the pain felt in the upper arm can also be directly linked to an injury or muscle spasm that may have occurred in the neck or shoulder area. Read below to help better understand what injury you may be up against, and how you can get on the quick road to recovery.

Wrist Injuries

The wrist is a small joint that works in conjunction with the hand, forearm and elbow. This small joint consists of the radius and ulna in the forearm and eight carpal bones. Along with these bones located in this area, there is also a complex network of ligaments running through this joint. A wrist injury is one of the most commonly seen injuries and complaints seen by athletic trainers and physical therapists. It is important to note that this injury is one of the most commonly seen injuries in sports such as cheerleading, tennis and golf. Remember that this is a very complex area of the body and it is important to seek medical attention if you have suffered from any of these injuries. Neglecting an injury to the wrist can lead to further damage in the wrist joint but also in the surrounding areas of the wrist.

Hand Injuries

Hand injuries are some of the most commonly seen in all sports due to the fact that they are used in almost everything that we do not only in sports but our everyday lives. Although the hand is only one word, dont let it mislead you in thinking there are not multiple types of injuries that can occur here. The hand is made up of 27 bones and consists of three different sections: carpal bones in the wrist, metacarpals in the palm region, and phalanges or fingers. Most injuries to the hand are not severe enough to require surgical intervention and can be healed on its own with the proper brace, cast or splint. But remember that this is a very complex area of the body and it is important to seek medical attention if you have suffered from any of these injuries because neglecting these injuries can lead to further damage in other areas in the hand or possibly outside of the hand.

Skin Injuries

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Internal Organ Injuries

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