The lowdown on common sports injuries (and when you should see a doctor)

Whether you’re training for a marathon or have spent too much time on the pickleball court, sports injuries come in many shapes and sizes. 
We’ll explore some of the more common sports injuries people experience, as well as when you should see a doctor.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is caused by damage to the tendons that bend the wrist away from the palm of your hand. People with tennis elbow will often have pain on the outside of the elbow and forearm and sometimes along the thumb.

Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow is also known as baseball elbow and is caused by damage to the tendons that bend the wrist towards the palm. Pain from golfer’s elbow will travel from the elbow to the wrist on the inner side of the forearm.

Jumper’s Knee

Any frequent high impact knee movement on hard surfaces, like jumping or running, can cause jumper’s knee. This injury affects the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap to the shin, and causes pain and swelling of the area.

Runner’s Knee

Runner’s knee is caused by kneecaps that don’t move correctly in the groove of the thighbone where it's supposed to sit. Unlike some other common sports injuries, this often happens because the knee has a structural problem, or a person has incorrect form when walking or running.

Lumbar Strain

Injuries to the lower back, like a lumbar strain, are caused by sports like weightlifting, football, basketball, and baseball. The pushing, pulling and sudden twisting involved in these sports can lead to damaged tendons and muscle spasms that cause pain.

Dislocation

Dislocation happens when so much force is put on a joint that connected bones separate. The most common dislocation is the shoulder.

Fractures

There are several types of fractures common in sports injuries: hairline, compound and stress.
Hairline fractures are thin and may not run through the entirety of a bone. When the bone breaks through the skin, this is known as a compound fracture. These are most often seen in the arms and legs.

Stress fractures happen when you overuse a body part, which causes small cracks. Stress fractures are often seen in the feet and legs in gymnasts, runners and other high-impact sports.

While some sports injuries can be treated at home with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, rest, ice, compression and elevation, we recommend seeing a doctor if you experience the following: 

• Your pain hasn’t improved or has gotten worse after two to three weeks of rest.

• You have chronic pain in your knees, elbows, neck or back.

• You feel stiff, have limited mobility or are unable to do everyday tasks.

Do you want to learn more about preventing and treating sports injuries? Download our free guide here.

Learn more about orthopedics at BJC or find a specialist. Ready to see a doctor? Request a call to book an appointment.