5 sports injuries that are the worst for athletes

Worst Sports Injuries

Sports and outdoor athletic activities are a great way to exercise. But as anyone who has played contact sports can tell you, sports-related injuries can have you sitting on the sidelines before you know it. Athletes at all levels are susceptible to injury, from high school to professionals. Even a relaxed game of Frisbee in the park could end in a sprained ankle or other issue.

Thankfully, most sport-related injuries can be treated with the help of physical therapy. Many of the injuries sustained on the field can have long-lasting effects on your performance and your health; that’s why it’s important to prevent injuries before they happen. Athletes of all skill levels can benefit from physical therapy not just after an injury, but before the season starts as well.

Some of the worst sports injuries could be prevented by keeping your body strong and flexible throughout the year. Since most sports injuries happen during practice, working with a physical therapist during the off-season can help prevent injury and improve your performance.

What are some of the worst sports injuries to avoid?

While minor aches and pains are common after a practice or game, sports injuries can have more serious consequences. Here are five of the worst sports injuries for athletes:

  1. Concussions — Concussions are head injuries that are common in contact sports where the head or upper body is subject to impact. When the head is severely impacted, the brain can be forcefully pushed against the skull, causing concussion. Even with proper treatment, concussion symptoms can linger long after the initial injury.
  1. Tendinitis — When the tendons that connect our muscles to our bones are placed under too much stress, tendinitis can occur. This happens when microscopic tears form in our tendons, causing pain and swelling. In severe cases, the tendons can even tear.
  1. Rotator cuff injuries — The rotator cuff is the muscle that allows our shoulders to be able to move and bend. Many shoulder injuries are the result of straining or tearing a rotator cuff muscle while playing sports. This injury can happen as a result of overuse or from a hard impact.
  1. Hyperextensions — Hyperextension occurs when a joint such as the knee or elbow is stretched too far and too quickly. This causes stress on the joint soft tissue, resulting in pain, inflammation and swelling. It is a common injury among players of rugby, football and other sports that involve running.
  1. Fractures — Fractures can happen during nearly any sport and to many different parts of the body. For example, fractures of the foot and ankle are common in sports like basketball that require jumping and landing.

How can physical therapy help prevent the worst sports-related injuries?

Many of these injuries can be avoided with proper training, warming up and stretching. If you are concerned about becoming injured on the field, talk with a physical therapist today about developing a routine to strengthen your body. 

Whatcom Physical Therapy can be your trusted partner in sports injury prevention. Our sports injury experts can build you a personalized prevention plan designed to cut your risk of a sports injury. Such a plan may include: 

Contact us today to schedule an appointment or for more information on how we can help you perform at your absolute best.