Safeguarding Your Season: The Top 5 Injuries to Watch Out For
As the weather warms up, athletes of all ages will hit the fields and courts to partake in their favorite sports activities, maybe even picking up a new hobby in the process! However, amidst the excitement, it’s crucial to recognize and understand the potential risks of injuries that accompany these activities. Whether you’re an experienced player or just getting started, being aware of the most common warm-weather sports injuries can help you stay in the game all season long.
- Sprained Ankles: An all-too-common scenario in sports like tennis and pickleball, sprained ankles occur when the ligaments supporting the ankle joint are stretched too far or torn. The rapid directional changes and explosive movements inherent in these sports make ankles particularly vulnerable.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries: Serving the ball heavily involves the shoulder joint and its stabilizing muscles and tendons. Rotator cuff injuries, characterized by pain and weakness in the shoulder, are particularly common in sports requiring repetitive overhead movements.
- ACL Tears: Perhaps one of the most feared injuries for athletes, an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear can mean months of rehabilitation and potential setbacks. Recent research has shown that adolescent female athletes are 1.5 times more likely to experience an ACL tear than their male counterparts (Orthopedic ONE). This is one of the many reasons why proper training and injury prevention strategies are so important.
- Tendinitis: Tendinitis manifests in various forms depending on the repetitive motions involved in specific sports. Tennis players might be particularly familiar with “tennis elbow.”
- Concussions: These brain injuries can result from direct blows to the head or violent collisions with other players, leading to symptoms ranging from dizziness and confusion to more severe cognitive impairments. Recognizing the signs of a concussion and prioritizing player safety is paramount in mitigating these risks.
Orthopedic ONE’s Sports Medicine Hotline
Orthopedic ONE’s Sports Medicine Hotline is a free resource staffed 7 days a week by certified athletic trainers to support athletes and their families. Simply leave us a message or send an email and a member of our team will reach out to help you navigate the next steps following an injury, including scheduling an urgent appointment with an Orthopedic ONE physician at a location near you.
(614) 827-8210 | [email protected]
Scan the QR Code to save the Sports Medicine Hotline contact info on your phone. You’re only ONE call away from Central Ohio’s most trusted team of orthopedic experts!
