10 Common Sports Injuries: A Physiotherapist's Perspective

Sports injuries are a common occurrence, affecting athletes of all levels. The type of sport, intensity of training, and individual factors can influence the risk of injury. While some sports, like football and rugby, are associated with high-impact injuries like fractures and concussions, repetitive motion sports like running and tennis often lead to overuse injuries like shin splints and tennis elbow.

Physiotherapy plays a vital role in the management and rehabilitation of sports injuries. Physiotherapists work closely with athletes to assess injuries, develop personalized treatment plans, and guide them through the recovery process.

Let’s dive into the most common sports injuries seen in physiotherapy clinics

Sprains and Strains– Sprains and strains are common sports injuries. Sprains occur when ligaments, the tough bands of tissue connecting bones, are stretched or torn. This often happens in the ankles, knees, and wrists. Strains, on the other hand, result from overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons. Hamstrings and back muscles are frequently affected by strains.

Knee Injuries – ACL Tears are a common knee injury, especially in sports that involve sudden changes in direction, such as basketball and soccer. This injury occurs when the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a key stabilizer of the knee joint, is torn. In contrast to that, MCL Tears often result from direct blows to the outside of the knee. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is located on the inner side of the knee and helps to stabilize the joint.

Meniscus Tears – common in contact sports like football and rugby. The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber in the knee joint. Twisting or rotating the knee can lead to a tear in this cartilage.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee) is an overuse injury that commonly affects runners and other athletes who participate in activities that involve repetitive knee flexion and extension. This condition causes pain around the kneecap and can be exacerbated by poor biomechanics, muscle imbalances, or tight tendons.

Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee) – is another overuse injury that primarily affects athletes who participate in jumping sports like basketball and volleyball. This condition causes inflammation and pain in the tendon that connects the kneecap to the shinbone.

Knee Osteoarthritis – is a degenerative joint disease that affects the cartilage in the knee joint. Over time, the cartilage wears down, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Repetitive stress from activities like running and jumping can contribute to the development of knee osteoarthritis.

Common Shoulder Injuries That Occur in Sports

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff tears can occur due to repetitive overhead motions, common in sports like swimming, tennis, and baseball, or from acute trauma, such as a fall or direct blow. Symptoms of a rotator cuff tear include shoulder pain, weakness, and limited range of motion, especially when lifting the arm overhead.

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the head of the humerus bone slips out of the shoulder socket. This can happen due to a fall, direct impact, or forceful twisting motion. Symptoms of a shoulder dislocation include severe pain, swelling, and deformity of the shoulder joint. In some cases, the shoulder may appear to be “out of place.”

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a condition that occurs when the tendons and bursa in the shoulder become irritated and inflamed due to repetitive overhead motions. This can lead to pain, weakness, and limited range of motion, especially when lifting the arm overhead. Swimming, baseball, and tennis are sports that commonly contribute to shoulder impingement syndrome.

Other Common Sports injuries That Occur

Fractures occur when a bone breaks due to excessive force or trauma. This can happen during high-impact sports like football or rugby, or from falls, accidents, or direct blows. Common fracture sites in sports include the ankle, wrist, collarbone, and fingers.

Shin splints are a common overuse injury that causes pain along the shinbone. It’s often associated with activities that involve repetitive impact on the lower legs, such as running, dancing, or jumping. Overuse, improper footwear, and muscle imbalances can contribute to shin splints.

Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Overuse, sudden increases in activity, or wearing inappropriate footwear can lead to this condition. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, and swelling in the back of the ankle.

Concussions are traumatic brain injuries caused by a direct blow to the head or a violent shaking of the head. They can result in a variety of symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Concussions can be serious and may require medical attention.

Tennis or golfer’s elbow is a painful condition that affects the tendons in the elbow. It’s caused by repetitive motions, such as swinging a racket or golf club. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, and weakness in the elbow joint.

Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bone that develop due to repetitive stress. They are common in weight-bearing bones like the foot and shin. Overtraining, inadequate rest, and poor biomechanics can increase the risk of stress fractures.

Dislocations occur when a bone is forced out of its normal joint position. This can happen due to trauma or a sudden forceful movement. Common dislocations include shoulder, finger, and knee dislocations. Dislocations are often painful and require immediate medical attention to be properly realigned.

Preventing Common Sports Injuries is Crucial!

Proper warm-up, stretching, and conditioning are essential. Wearing appropriate protective gear and maintaining a balanced training regimen can also reduce the risk of injury. If you do sustain a sports injury, seek prompt medical attention and consider consulting with a physiotherapist to aid in your recovery.

Remember, a well-rounded approach to training and recovery can help you stay healthy and perform at your best. If you need help with recovery from any one of the common sports injuries, you can contact one of our physical therapists today!

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Jason Bellefleur

Jason Bellefleur is a multi-award-winning physiotherapist. Most recently, he was recognized as a 2016 Ottawa Forty Under 40 recipient and received numerous awards from the Orléans Chamber of Commerce (the 2011 Young Business Person of the Year, the 2012 Healthcare Professional of the Year and the 2014 Business Person of the Year awards). Jason is proud to be an Orléans resident and to raise his family in a bilingual community. He enthusiastically promotes local business within the Orléans area and frequently supports and participates in local events. Jason was recognized for his community involvement by receiving the Orleans 150 Community Builder award in 2017 by Ottawa-Orléans MPP Marie-France Lalonde. Jason firmly believes in high-quality one-on-one physiotherapy interventions. His treatment approach emphasizes hands-on intervention, continued client education, and active involvement by the individual to help them reach their full potential. By opening a clinic that offers 'Higher Standards of Care,' Jason wants his patients to feel confident that they receive the highest level of patient care available. As a result, he is also preventing injury and helping to improve their health and well-being.