In every sporting activity, there are also various types of risks of injury to parts of the body, from the feet, hands, hips, to the back. The causes are varied and consist of various factors, such as lack of warm-up, excessive exercise intensity, technique or movement errors, fatigue, or even accidents.
Types of sports injuries
Injuries that occur while exercising can be grouped into several types, including:
- Muscle injury
Muscle injuries occur when muscles are damaged or torn. Muscle injuries can occur due to overtraining, not warming up enough, or improper movement during sports. - Ligament injury
Ligament injuries occur when the ligaments that connect bones to one another are torn or damaged. Ligament injuries are common in basketball, soccer and skiing. - Tendon injuries
Tendon injuries occur when the tendons that connect muscles to bones are torn or damaged. Tendon injuries often occur in sports that require repetitive movements, such as tennis or baseball. - Joint injury
Joint injuries can occur in a variety of sports and often occur in heavily used joints such as the hip, knee, and ankle. - Bone injury
Bone injuries occur when bones are broken or fractured. Bone injuries often occur in sports such as football, volleyball and badminton. - Head injury
Head injuries can occur in sports that require impact, such as boxing or soccer. Head injuries can be very serious and require immediate medical treatment. - Skin injury
Skin injuries can occur in contact sports such as wrestling or rugby. Skin injuries can include cuts, bruises, or abrasions.
Handling sports injuries
In injuries that occur during sports, proper and fast treatment is needed so that pain can be reduced and help speed up the healing process. Here are some ways you can do to deal with injuries that occur while exercising:
- Rest
After experiencing an injury, sufferers are advised to immediately stop their sports activities and rest the injured area. Sufferers are also advised not to make movements or activities that can exacerbate the injury. - Compress
To help reduce pain and swelling, sufferers can use an ice pack or cold cloth to compress the injured area every 15-20 minutes for the first 48-72 hours after the injury occurred. - Lift
In injuries that occur in the legs or arms, the patient can lift the injured body part as high as possible. This can help reduce swelling. - Consult with a doctor or physiotherapist
If the injury looks severe or the pain does not improve, the patient is advised to consult with the nearest doctor or physiotherapist to get the right diagnosis and treatment. - Self care
Self-care such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy food, and avoiding activities that exacerbate injuries are things that sufferers can do to help speed up the healing process. - Rehabilitation
After the healing process is carried out, it is important for sufferers to carry out rehabilitation such as physical exercise and therapy to help strengthen the injured area and prevent it from happening again.
Those are some types and ways of handling injuries that occur when playing sports. If you or your closest relative has an injury that won't heal, immediately consult a doctor at a trusted hospital.
Article written by dr. Arrio Yusman, Sp.OT (K) Sports Injury (Orthopedic & Traumatology Specialist, Sports Injury and Arthroscopy Consultant at EMC Pekayon Hospital).