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 provides the body with stability and enables 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 and develop gradually over time. Examples of acute injuries are sprains and dislocations, while some common chronic injuries are shin splints and stress fractures.

Treatment for a sports injury depends on the type of injury, but minor ones can usually be treated at home by resting, icing, compressing, and elevating (R-I-C-E) the injured part of the body. For more serious injuries, you will need to see a health care provider, and you may need to be set up for a course of physical therapy for rehabilitation and/or fitted for a cast, splint, or brace. In some cases, you may need surgery. A rehabilitation program that includes exercise and other types of therapy is usually recommended before resuming the sport or activity that caused the injury.

One of the worst sporting injuries is called  an ACL tear which means  anterior cruciate ligament; it is one of a pair of cruciate ligaments in the human knee. It’s the job of your ACL to keep your knee stable during quick changes in direction, a necessary function for sports like soccer, basketball, football, and lacrosse. An ACL injury, which can range from a sprain to a full rupture. Many athletes’ careers have been ruined by this injury and it is so easy to tear which is why you must train your knees and be careful to go as fast as you can control while moving or making fast cuts. 

It is important to keep all your bones as strong as possible so that you will have a more effective life not just with sports but with whatever job you do. Bones are important because Bones support your body and allow you to move. They protect your brain, heart, and other organs from injury. Bone is a living, growing tissue. It is made mostly of two materials: collagen (KOL-uh-juhn), a protein that provides a soft framework, and calcium (KAL-see-uhm), a mineral that adds strength and hardness. The reason why we can do everything is because of bones so it is important to keep them healthy.

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