What is an Injury?
In general, injury or trauma is an abnormality that occurs in the body. This abnormality can or will result in pain, heat, redness, swelling, and decreased function. Both in muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and bones.
This disorder usually occurs due to exercise. It is important to note that children are at high risk of experiencing it, but adults are also susceptible to it.
Symptoms of Injury
In general, if you have an injury, you will probably feel some symptoms right away.
Starting from pain, soreness, swelling, bruising, and limited or stiff movement in the affected area.
However, sometimes, these symptoms only appear a few hours after exercising.
In addition, the symptoms of this condition depend on the type and location of the injury.
For example, if you experience a concussion after being hit by something, symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, and disorientation (confusion).
Meanwhile, if you experience an ankle injury, the symptoms can include a tender feeling when touching the ankle, swelling, and bruising.
Stop exercising immediately if you feel pain, regardless of whether it happened suddenly, or you have been feeling the pain for a while.
Continuing to exercise while injured can cause further damage and slow recovery.
Causes of Injury
In general, sports injuries can be caused by:
- Accidents and trauma, such as falls or hard impacts.
- Not warming up properly before exercising.
- Using improper equipment or improper technique when exercising.
- Overexerting yourself (over-exercise).
Almost any part of the body can be injured, including muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissues (tendons and ligaments). The ankles and knees are particularly susceptible to injury.
Risk Factors for Injury
A person is more at risk of experiencing a sports injury if he or she:
- Not actively exercising regularly.
- Not warming up properly before exercising.
- Frequently playing sports that require a lot of physical contact, such as soccer or rugby.
Types of Injuries
There are several types of injuries you need to know, including:
- ACL injury. It is a tear or sprain of the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL. The ACL itself is a strong band of tissue that helps connect the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia).
- Muscle injury. This is an injury to the muscle or tendon, which is the fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone.
- Ankle sprain or ankle injury. It is an ankle sprain caused by the ligaments that support the ankle being overstretched or torn.
- Dislocation. A condition that can cause bones in the body to become dislocated. As a result, the bone becomes compressed and forced out of its socket, causing pain and swelling.
- Hamstring injury. Occurs when a person stretches or pulls one of the hamstring muscles (a group of three muscles along the back of the thigh) too tightly.
- Knee injuries. There are several types of knee injuries that can occur, namely sprains, strains, muscle dislocations, and fractures.
- Broken bones. This condition can occur in various parts of the body, such as the hands, feet, and ribs.
- Tendon injury. Defined as pain and bruising in the affected area (tendon) caused by heavy activity. Tendon itself is a fibrous tissue that attaches muscles to bones in the human body.
- Concussion. A brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a violent shaking of the head and body.
- Back injuries. Any disturbance in the spine, joints, connective tissues, muscles, or nerves can cause pain and discomfort.
Injury Diagnosis
Many sports injuries cause immediate pain or discomfort.
Others, such as overuse injuries, may only become apparent after long-term damage. These conditions are often diagnosed during a routine physical exam or examination.
If you think you have a sports injury, your doctor will likely use the following steps to reach a diagnosis:
1. Physical examination
The doctor may try to move the affected joint or body part.
This helps them see how the area is moving, or how it is not moving if it is.
2. Ask about medical history.
This involves asking questions about how someone was injured, what was done, and more.
In addition, the doctor may also ask for a more comprehensive medical history.
3. Imaging tests
X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds can all help doctors see inside the body. This can help them confirm a diagnosis of a sports injury.
Injury Treatment
The RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) is a common treatment for injuries. This treatment method is useful for minor sports injuries.
For best results, follow the RICE method in the first 24 to 36 hours after injury.
This can help reduce swelling and prevent additional pain and bruising in the early days after a sports injury.
Additionally, over-the-counter and prescription medications are available to treat sports injuries. Most of these medications can relieve pain and swelling.
However, if the injury is more severe, such as a concussion or a broken bone, treatment for this condition will depend on the underlying condition.
For example, a broken bone can be treated with a cast. While for a concussion, if it is not too severe, the doctor may recommend physical and mental rest to recover from the concussion.
Injury Complications
Complications from injuries will also vary, depending on the underlying condition.
For example, people who have an ACL injury have a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knee.
Arthritis can occur even if the person is undergoing surgery for ligament reconstruction.
Meanwhile, doing activities too soon after experiencing an ankle injury or sprained ankle can cause the following complications:
- Chronic ankle pain.
- Chronic ankle joint instability.
- Arthritis of the ankle joint.
Injury Prevention
The best way to prevent this, especially during exercise, is to warm up properly and stretch, as cold muscles are more likely to stretch and tear.
By warming up, the muscles will become warm, making them more flexible.
Additionally, warmed-up muscles can absorb rapid movements, twists, and jerks making them less likely to occur.
Also, take these steps to avoid injury:
- Do sports with the right techniques, such as swimming, playing ball, or basketball.
- Use sports equipment that is appropriate for the type. For example, make sure to use soccer shoes with special soles.
- Avoid exercising too hard and excessively, as it can slow down muscle recovery.
- Do safe exercise according to your age, such as taking a leisurely walk for the elderly.
- Avoid wearing thin sandals when the roads are wet, to avoid slipping which can cause falls.
- Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages before driving.
When to See a Doctor?
If you experience symptoms of injury that do not improve within a few days.
For example, if you feel pain, soreness, swelling, bruising, and stiffness in the affected area, immediately check your condition with a doctor.
Because it could be that the symptoms felt are an indication that is getting worse and require treatment as early as possible. One of them is like a cracked bone.