Find Sports Injury Doctors near you

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FAQs:

What is a Sports Injury Doctor?

A sports injury doctor is a medical doctor who specializes in sports injury treatment. As such, they have the usual background: medical school followed by a residency served at a hospital. Many sports doctors have backgrounds in internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, or physical medicine/rehabilitation. A sports injury doctor can not only diagnose a given injury, but they can also estimate the length of the recovery process. Similarly, they can tell the patient what they can expect during the recovery process and advise them as to when they may resume playing or exercising. They can describe and recommend various sports injury treatment options like injections or braces that can help the patient’s recovery.

What is Sports Injury?

The term “sports injury” refers to the kinds of injuries that most commonly occur during sports or exercise, but they are not limited to athletes. Factory workers get tennis elbow, painters get shoulder injuries, and gardeners develop tendinitis, even though they may not participate in sports. Ultimately, however, “sports injuries” refers to those that occur in active individuals. This health topic focuses on the most common types of sports injuries—those that affect the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system is the network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and other tissues that provide the body with stability and enable movement.

Sports injuries are divided into two broad categories, acute and chronic injuries. Acute injuries happen suddenly, such as when a person falls,  receives a blow, or twists a joint, while chronic injuries usually result from overuse of one area of the body (repetitive overload) and develop gradually over time.

What is an Acute Sports Injury?

An acute sports injury occurs as a result of a fall hit, or another type of trauma. It is the result of a specific motion, movement, or activity, like twisting an ankle during basketball or getting hit during football. It can also be caused by a non-contact injury, where an athlete lands and twists a joint. In addition to connecting the injury to a specific time and place, key hallmarks of acute sports injuries include:

- Constant pain

- Significant loss of function

- Swelling

What Sport Has the Most Injuries?

Injury-Prone Sport: Basketball. Though not a contact sport, basketball caused 313,924 injuries in 2022, per the NSC, the most of all team sports. A high-speed sport, basketball calls for quick changes in direction and jumps, which strain the knee ligaments, leading to sprains and tears. Hand and wrist injuries are also common.

What is the Most Common Sports Injury?

There is one injury that is the most common among contact sports and non-contact sports and that is knee injuries. Sports, whether it’s a high-impact sport like basketball or a low-impact sport like pickleball (yes, knee injuries are one of the most common pickleball injuries), put a lot of stress on your knee joints. Many of the sports we listed above involve continuous running, jumping, abrupt stops, rapid changes in direction, and intense physical contact which make their players more susceptible to knee injuries.

What are the Most Common Parts of the Body Injured?

Sports injuries can affect any part of your body. They most often affect:

1. Achilles tendon: The Achilles tendon is a thick cord that connects the back of your lower leg (calf) to your heel. It helps you walk. But the tendon can become swollen, inflamed, and stiff. It can even tear. This is called Achilles tendinitis or Achilles tendon rupture.

2. Ankle: Your leg and foot join together at your ankle. It contains three joints, as well as several bones, cartilage, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Ankle pain is often caused by a sprained ankle.

3. Elbow: Your elbow is the joint that acts as a hinge between your upper and lower arm. People often experience pain in their elbow from repeat motions and overuse (for example, tennis elbow and Little League elbow).

4. Head: Your head includes your face, skull, and brain. One of the most common head injuries is concussion.

5. Knee: Your knee is a complex joint that acts as a hinge between your thigh and lower leg. It contains bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Knee pain can be caused by a jumper’s knee or a runner’s knee. Other common injuries include meniscus tear and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.

6. Shoulder: Your shoulder connects your upper arm to the trunk of your body. It contains your rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons that keep the upper arm in your shoulder socket. Rotator cuff tendinitis and rotator cuff tears are common sports injuries.

How Long Does It Take for a Sports Injury to Heal?

The outlook after a sports injury varies, depending on the type and severity. Most sports injuries are minor and heal in a few days or weeks with rest and simple recovery strategies. Other injuries, such as broken bones and concussions, need medical intervention and can take several months to heal.

What is the Hardest Sports Injury to Recover From?

A torn ACL is a sports injury that takes a long time to recover from. The anterior cruciate ligament is the main ligament in the knee. Strange landings, changes in direction, or stops result in torn ACLs. ACL tears need evaluation from orthopedics specialists. A torn ACL is common in all sports. But soccer, football, and basketball are the main sports that can cause it.

What Sport Has No Injuries?

Swimming trains almost every muscle group in the human body, and the risk of injury in this sport is minimal. The athlete has to follow proper breathing and movement techniques. Swimming is not a contact sport, so the physical impact of anything on the human body is usually excluded. As an extra fact of this safest sport – even professional athletes rarely get any injuries. Even if they strengthen their health for many years.

Types of Sports Injuries

Some of the more common sports injuries include:

1. Ankle sprain – symptoms include pain, swelling, and stiffness.

2. Bruises – a blow can cause small bleeds on the skin.

3. Concussion – mild reversible brain injury from a blow to the head, which may be associated with loss of consciousness. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, and short-term memory loss.

4. Cuts and abrasions – are usually caused by falls. The knees and hands are particularly prone.

5. Dehydration – losing too much fluid can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

6. Dental damage – a blow to the jaw can crack, break, or dislodge teeth.

7. Groin strain – symptoms include pain and swelling.

8. Hamstring strain – symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising.

9. Knee joint injuries – symptoms include pain, swelling and stiffness. The ligaments, tendons or cartilage can be affected.

10. Nose injuries – either bloody nose or broken nose, are caused by a direct blow.

11. Stress fractures – particularly in the lower limbs. The impact of repeated jumping or running on hard surfaces can eventually stress and crack bone.

Who Gets Sports Injuries?

Anyone can suffer a sports injury, but several factors can increase the risk of sustaining injury.

The risk factors for sports injuries include:

1. Not using the correct exercise techniques.

2. Overtraining, either by training too often, too frequently or for too long.

3. Increasing your intensity of physical activity too quickly.

4. Playing the same sport year-round.

5. Running or jumping on hard surfaces.

6. Wearing shoes that do not have enough support.

7. Not wearing the proper equipment.

8. Having had a prior injury.

9. Having certain anatomical features specific to each joint or poor flexibility.

10. Taking certain medications, such as fluoroquinolones, a class of antibiotics linked to tendinitis and tendon rupture.

The type of injury you are most vulnerable to depends on the type of activity you participate in, your age, and your sex.

Top 15 Sports that Caused the Most Injuries

Here are the top 15 sports that led to the highest number of injuries for both amateurs and professionals:

1. Bicycling: 425,910 injuries

Injury Overview: Bicycling leads the list with the highest number of injuries. Common injuries include fractures (especially in the arms and wrists from falls), head injuries (from crashes), and road rash (abrasions from contact with the ground). Wearing helmets and protective gear can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury.

2. Using Exercise Equipment: 377,939 injuries

Injury Overview: Injuries from using exercise equipment are often related to overexertion, improper use, or equipment malfunction. Common issues include strains and sprains, particularly in the back and shoulders, and injuries from falls on treadmills or weight machines. Proper technique and supervision can help mitigate these risks.

3. Skateboards, Scooters, Hoverboards: 217,646 injuries

Injury Overview: These activities are associated with many injuries, especially among younger individuals. Falls can lead to fractures, particularly in the wrists and arms, as well as head injuries. Using helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads is essential for safety.

4. Basketball: 214,847 injuries

Injury Overview: Basketball is a high-impact, fast-paced sport that often results in ankle sprains, knee injuries (including ACL tears), and finger fractures. Contact with other players can also lead to bruises and concussions. Proper warm-ups and conditioning can help reduce the risk of these injuries.

5. Swimming: 129,708 injuries

Injury Overview: While swimming is generally considered low-impact, injuries occur, often due to overuse. Shoulder injuries, such as swimmer’s shoulder (rotator cuff tendinitis), are common. Swimmers also face the risk of drowning or near-drowning incidents, especially in open water or without supervision. Proper technique and safety measures are critical.

6. Football: 122,181 injuries

Injury Overview: Football is one of the most injury-prone sports due to its physical contact nature. Common injuries include concussions, ACL tears, sprains, and fractures. The violent collisions and tackles in football put players at high risk for both acute injuries and long-term conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Protective gear and proper tackling techniques are essential.

7. Playground Equipment: 120,829 injuries

Injury Overview: Injuries from playground equipment, particularly among children, often involve falls that result in fractures, especially in the arms and wrists. Head injuries from falls are also a concern. Supervision and safe playground designs are crucial to preventing these injuries.

8. Trampolines: 106,358 injuries

Injury Overview: Trampoline use frequently leads to injuries such as fractures, sprains, and head injuries. The risk is exceptionally high when multiple people use the trampoline simultaneously or when users perform flips or other risky maneuvers. Using safety nets and limiting use to one person at a time can reduce injury risks.

9. Soccer: 81,452 injuries

Injury Overview: Soccer players are prone to a range of injuries, including sprained ankles, knee injuries (such as ACL and meniscus tears), and concussions from head collisions or heading the ball. The sport’s high running demands also lead to overuse injuries like shin splints and stress fractures. Proper conditioning and wearing appropriate footwear can help prevent these injuries.

10. Baseball and Softball: 70,209 injuries

Injury Overview: Injuries in baseball and softball often involve the shoulder and elbow due to repetitive throwing motions, leading to conditions like rotator cuff tears and ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries. Players are also at risk for fractures and concussions from being hit by the ball or colliding with other players. Proper throwing mechanics and protective gear, like helmets, are essential preventive measures.

11. Fishing: 65,107 injuries

Injury Overview: Fishing injuries are less frequent but can include hook-related injuries (punctures), slips or falls on wet surfaces, and overuse injuries like back pain from prolonged casting. Sunburn and dehydration are also common risks for anglers spending extended periods outdoors. Wearing sun protection and taking breaks can help mitigate these risks.

12. Skating (Excluding In-Line): 51,331 injuries

Injury Overview: Injuries from skating (excluding in-line) often occur due to falls, resulting in wrist fractures, sprained ankles, and head injuries. Ice skating, in particular, carries risks of cuts from skate blades. Wearing helmets, wrist guards, and proper skating shoes can reduce the likelihood of severe injuries.

13. Horseback Riding: 44,012 injuries

Injury Overview: Horseback riding injuries can be severe due to potential falls from a significant height. Common injuries include fractures, head injuries, and spinal injuries. Riders can also be kicked or bitten by horses. Wearing helmets and using proper riding techniques are crucial for safety.

14. Lacrosse, Rugby, Miscellaneous Ball Games: 29,134 injuries

Injury Overview: Lacrosse and rugby are high-contact sports with a high risk of concussions, fractures, and dislocations, particularly in the shoulders and knees. These sports also involve frequent collisions and tackles, increasing the risk of severe injuries. Proper protective gear and adherence to safety rules are essential.

15. Volleyball: 23,597 injuries

Injury Overview: Volleyball injuries typically involve the fingers, wrists, and knees. Common injuries include finger fractures, wrist sprains, and knee injuries like patellar tendinitis. Players can also suffer from ankle sprains when landing awkwardly. Proper warm-up exercises and strengthening routines can help prevent these injuries.

Symptoms of a Sports Injury

The signs and symptoms of a sports injury depend on the type of injury. Common symptoms include:

- Aches, pain, or tenderness.

- Bruising.

- Deformity, such as a bone or joint looking out of place.

- Decreased range of motion.

- Grinding, cracking, clicking, or popping noise.

- Inability to bear weight on your hip, leg, or foot.

- Skin that’s warm to the touch.

- Stiffness or weakness.

- Swelling.

- Trouble moving a body part normally (for example, you can’t move it as far or it locks up when you try to move).

Causes of Sports Injuries

Acute injuries such as fractures and dislocations are often the result of accidental trauma. This could mean falls or direct blows to the body. Failing to warm up properly before engaging in sports, other exercises, or stretching can also lead to connective tissue injuries such as pulled muscles. Other common causes of sports injuries include:

1. Not using protective gear during activity

2. Using improper gear

3. Engaging in an activity with inadequate training or insufficient conditioning

4. Using poor body mechanics or form

5. Overtraining or trying to “push through” an injury

6. Training only specific muscle groups at the expense of others

Chronic sports injuries can develop from repetitive motion that continually irritates the tissue. Acute injuries that do not get treated properly can become chronic conditions.

How Sports Injuries Are Diagnosed

Most sports injuries lead to immediate pain and discomfort. Some may be observed only with overuse and long-term damage. These are diagnosed through a physical examination or a routine checkup. The doctor may suggest the following steps for a thorough diagnosis:

1. Physical Examination: The doctor will move the injured part of the body to see if the area is moving.

2. Medical History: This is a crucial step where the doctor will ask you about the activity you were involved in right before the injury and what you did after the injury.

3. Imaging Tests: The doctor may ask you to get X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds to inspect what is happening inside your body. This is important to confirm the diagnosis of a sports injury (mild or severe).

The Five Stages of Sports Injury Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is important in healing from sports injuries. It helps restore strength, flexibility, and function while reducing the risk of re-injury. Here are the five stages of sports injury rehabilitation:

1. Pain and swelling control. The initial phase focuses on managing pain and reducing swelling. The PRICE method is commonly used during this stage. Additionally, healthcare professionals may recommend pain medication or use modalities like electrical stimulation or ultrasound to aid in the healing process.

2. Range of motion and flexibility improvement. Once pain and swelling are under control, the focus shifts to improving the range of motion and flexibility of the affected area. This stage involves specific stretching exercises, which may be performed independently or with the assistance of a physical therapist.

3. Strength building and balance training. The third phase concentrates on rebuilding strength in the injured area. Balance training is often also introduced to improve the body’s awareness of its position in space.

4. Sport-specific training. As strength and balance improve, rehabilitation moves into sport-specific training. This phase incorporates exercises and drills that mimic the movements and skills required in the athlete’s sport. The goal is to prepare the body for the demands of the specific athletic activity.

5. Gradual return to full activity. The final stage involves a carefully planned return to full sports participation. This process is gradual to ensure the athlete can safely handle the physical demands of their sport without risking re-injury.

The specific treatment plan and healing time depend on the type and severity of the injury, as well as the individual athlete’s needs and goals.

How to Prevent Sports Injury

You can reduce your risk of sports injuries if you:

1. Warm up thoroughly by gently going through the motions of your sport and performing slow, sustained stretches.

2. Wear appropriate footwear.

3. Tape or strap vulnerable joints, if necessary.

4. Use the appropriate safety equipment, such as mouthguards, helmets, and pads.

5. Drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after the game.

6. Try to avoid exercising in the hottest part of the day, between 11 am and 3 pm.

7. Maintain a good level of overall fitness, particularly in the off-season (in the months between playing seasons for a sport).

8. Cross-train with other sports to ensure overall fitness and muscle strength.

9. Ensure training includes appropriate speed and impact work so muscles are capable of the demands of a game situation.

10. Don’t exert yourself beyond your level of fitness. Gradually increase the intensity and duration of training.

11. Use good form and technique.

12. Cool down after sport with gentle, sustained stretches.

13. Allow adequate recovery time between sessions.

14. Have regular medical check-ups.

How to Prevent Head Injuries in Sports

Preventing concussions is difficult, so we need to do what we can to reduce the number of concussions as well as properly treat the ones that do occur. Proper treatment, can reduce the chance of repeat concussions. Here are some recommendations on how to prevent sports head injuries.

1. Ensure that the athlete wears a helmet that is appropriate for the sport that they are participating in. The helmet should be certified by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE).

2. Ensure that the helmet is fit by the requirements for that particular sport. Reports show that only 15-20% of all helmets are fit correctly. The helmet must be fit properly and worn correctly every time.

3. Avoid using the head as the primary focal point of contact. The head and helmet should never be used as a weapon. Anti-spearing rules in football have helped to reduce the number of cervical spine injuries in that sport, however, head-first contact is still evident and is increasing in sports other than football.

4. Instruct the athlete on proper tackling techniques in football. Teaching them to not lead with the head and to hit with the shoulder instead of the helmet can reduce the incidence of concussion.

5. Strengthen the neck muscles. Studies have shown that individuals with stronger neck musculature have a lower rate of concussion. A stronger neck can absorb some of the shock of the blow to the head and decrease the force delivered to the brain. Weaker neck muscles appear to be an important reason why girls may be at greater risk of concussion than boys.

6. Mouth guard use and its role in preventing concussion is inconclusive at this time. Some studies have shown the benefits of mouthguard use in preventing concussions, and others have shown there is no correlation between mouthguard use and the reduction of concussions in sports. While it may not be possible to show that mouthguards are beneficial in reducing concussions, there is certainly no harm in an athlete wearing one. If anything, it will help reduce dental trauma as well as lacerations to the mouth.

7. The use of headgear in soccer is beginning to gain more attention. At this time there is not enough evidence to confirm that headgear use in soccer reduces the incidence rate of concussion.

8. Several helmet designs for football and hockey have been developed to reduce concussion rates. Preliminary research has been positive, however, other studies show that they fail to reduce the concussion rate in wearers.

How to Treat Sports Injuries

Your course of treatment will depend on the location and severity of your injury. Initial treatment for many sports injuries is aimed at controlling inflammation and promoting the healing response. The acronym R.I.C.E. is a helpful guide for the immediate treatment of most acute injuries. When performing R.I.C.E. treatment, you will take the following steps:

Rest: Limit the forces acting on the injured part of the body. This generally means stopping your sports activity, and it may mean using crutches, a sling, or another aid to fully rest the area.

Ice: Ice helps control swelling and inflammation, and it can also help tremendously with pain reduction. Many athletes who ice an acute injury find they don't need pain pills to help alleviate discomfort.

Compress: Compression is performed by snugly, but not tightly, wrapping the injured part of the body with a compression bandage. Too tight constriction can cause worsening of your symptoms and other problems.

Elevate: Elevating the injured extremity can also help reduce swelling and inflammation and, in turn, reduce pain.

After an initial period, rest should be replaced by protection and optimal loading. This technique is known as P.O.L.I.C.E. (protection, optimal loading, ice, compression, and elevation). Protecting the injured joint with an assistive device, such as crutches or a sling, while gently moving the joint and gradually putting weight on the injury will often help speed healing.

After the initial healing period, your healthcare provider will determine what, if any, additional treatment is needed and may refer you to a specialist for your specific injury. Treatments for sports injuries include:

1. Immobilization with a splint, cast, or brace

2. Medication for pain

3. Pain-relieving injections, such as a cortisone shot

4. Physical therapy

5. Surgery

When to See a Sports Injury Doctor

Sports injuries are common, and seeing a healthcare provider for every ache and pain is not necessary or practical for most athletes. If you have an injury that is not improving with simple treatment steps, however, or if it is worsening despite your efforts, see a trained professional. Some signs that you should be seen by a medical professional include:

1. Difficulty using the injured area (walking, lifting your arm, etc.).

2. Inability to place weight on an extremity.

3. Limited mobility of a joint.

4. Deformity of the injured area.

5. Bleeding or skin injury.

6. Signs of infection (fevers, chills, sweats).

7. Headache, dizziness, confusion, or loss of consciousness following a head injury.

How to Find a Sports Injury Doctor Near Me

If you’re seeking a sports injury doctor nearby, follow these steps:

1. Ask friends and family for recommendations.

2. Search online for “sports injury treatment near me” and “sports injury specialist near me.”

3. Read reviews of local sports injury specialists online and schedule consultations to get to know their approach and experience.

Locate a sports injury doctor near you who would develop and supervise each respective component of the recovery process for both musculoskeletal and soft tissue injury using the highest quality medical and surgical supplies to deliver the best care.

Sources:

PB Ortho

NIH

Better Health

Cleveland Clinic

IU Health

Dignity Health

Very Well Health

Larkin Health

Visit Complete Care

All Sports Physical Therapy

Ortho Miami

Ortho NC

Pain Management NYC

Expresser Abilene

All Injury Rehab

Childrens Health