What do you think is most important to a sports athlete person?
Most of you would say that participating in sports activities and playing is most important for an athlete but Just practicing day and night is not enough, if anything is more important than all this, then it is health. For any person his health is the most important and if we are talking about an athlete so them, their health comes first, it is very important for them to be physically and mentally fit, because the health of any person has a direct effect on his work, in the same way, the fitness of an athlete has an effect on his match. While athletes compete throughout the year, new injuries always seem to emerge, and while the goal is to prevent them, it’s still good to know which injuries are most common. Sports injuries are common among athletes in the knee and shoulder followed by the remaining joints. The consequences of overdoing a sport can include injuries that impair growth and may lead to long-term health problems. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Sharif Dudekula, Consultant Arthroscopic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist at Medicover Hospital in Navi Mumbai, explained, “Sports injuries are classified into three types acute, overuse and the last one is chronic sports injuries.”
Common sports injuries:
Dr. Sharif Dodicola revealed that the most common sports injuries include –
1. Torsion of the ligament that connects the two bones,
2. Tendon strain, which is a muscle insertion into the bone
3. Knee injuries, often affecting the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus
4. Shoulder injuries, the most common rotator cuff tear and anterior shoulder dislocation
5. Tennis elbow / golfer’s elbow
6. Followed by fractures, concussion, plantar fasciitis, etc.
7. Knee injury
He added, “After an injury to the knee if there is an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) injury the patient presented with pain, swelling appearing immediately after injury, an inability to bear weight, and stiffness of the joint.
Treatment
Dr Sharif Dudekula advised, “In acute conditions go for ice pack application, knee immobiliser, adequate pain killers and active physiotherapy once the pain subsides. In chronic complete ACL injury patient presented with instability of the knee and difficulty in the use of stairs. Then the patient needs ACL reconstruction, for meniscal injuries for acute conditions same as ACL injury. Chronic conditions patients may need meniscectomy or meniscal repair depending on the status of the menisci.”
Talking about shoulder injury, he said, “If there is a rotator cuff injury the patient usually presented with pain, swelling, and inability to lift the hand. If there is a shoulder dislocation, along with the above symptoms there is a deformity of the limb (attitude) in flexion abduction and external rotation (Anterior dislocation) and the patient holds his forearm with another hand for support while presenting to the doctor” Hence, he suggested, “Treatment for shoulder injuries depends upon which type of injury occurred. In acute conditions go for rest, ice pack application, adequate pain killers, arm pouch sling for temporary stabilisation, and once the pain subsides go for rotator cuff strengthening and shoulder ROM exercises. For acute dislocation go for closed reduction of joint and 2 to 3 weeks of rest in shoulder immobiliser followed by gradual range of motion of the shoulder. For chronic rotator cuff injuries with significant symptoms go for rotator cuff repair and chronic recurrent dislocations will go for Bankert’s repair or remplissage procedure.”
Highlighting that sprain and strain are usually presented with pain, swelling and inability to bear weight if the injury to the lower limb, Dr Sharif Dudekula shared, “These are usually treated with rest, ice application, compression and limb elevation and followed by adequate physiotherapy.”
Dos:
After an injury, Dr Sharif Dudekula recommended you should take care of your limb with adequate rest, ice pack application. He advised –
1. Brace or splintage to limb.
2. Limb elevation to decrease the swelling.
3. Should go for adequate rehabilitation once the injury heals.
4. Take TT injection if there is an open fracture.
Don’ts:
According to Dr Sharif Dudekula, an injured person should avoid –
1. Hot water fomentation,
2. Massage at the injury site
3. Avoid sports activity till recovery
4. Don’t immobilise the joint for a long duration, start range of motion immediately once the pain is relieved
Preventive tips:
To prevent sport injuries, Dr Sharif Dudekula recommended:
1. Cutting the intensity, frequency and duration of the sport activity
2. Sports persons, athletes, and the persons who are indulging in sports activity – do the activities under the proper guidance of experts, physiotherapists, or trained persons
3. Drink enough water to maintain hydration depending upon sports activity and temperature
4. Take adequate and proper nutrition for performance
5. Do the sports activity or exercise with proper equipment
6. Take proper muscle strengthening training
7. Always go for adequate warm-up, and stretching before the activity or exercise followed by warm-down and stretching after the activity or exercise.
