Sports Injuries
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Learn more about sports-related pain and the different sports injury management options available.
If you’re an active member of a sports team, participate in solo sports or exercise regularly, you may know what it’s like to sustain a sports injury of some kind. You could be at risk of a sports injury if you haven’t been active for some time, skip warming up properly or are participating in contact sports.
People of any age may find themselves with a sports injury at some point in their lives, and it’s important to know how to take care of it if it happens and the various sports injury treatment options available. Learning how to prevent new injuries from happening in the future or exacerbating an existing injury is imperative in continuing to participate in physical activity.
If you are struggling with sports injuries, it’s important you speak with a healthcare professional for advice. Greencare is a telehealth clinic offering consultations with doctors and nurse practitioners who specialise in the management of sports injuries. If you want to talk about your condition and alternative treatment options that may be available for you, you can click below to book an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Greencare is an independent telehealth clinic who are not affiliated with Levin Health.
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Common injuries from sports
There are many kinds of sports injuries that an individual can sustain during a game, competition, or solo sport. Each injury will produce varied symptoms and complications.
The most common injuries from sports include:
What are the symptoms of a sports injury?
The symptoms of a sports injury will depend on what kind of injury you have sustained and where you have sustained it. Sports injuries can be classified as acute or chronic.
The symptoms of an acute sports injury may include:
- Sudden onset of severe pain
- A joint that is visibly out of place
- Extreme weakness of a limb
- A bone that is protruding through the skin
- Extreme bruising or swelling
- Not being able to bear weight on a limb
- Inability to move a joint normally
Symptoms of a chronic or recurring injury may include:
- Pain in the injured area which recurs when you play sport or participate in physical activity
- A dull ache and swelling in an injured area, even at rest
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Appointment
If you are struggling with sports injuries, it’s important you speak with a healthcare professional for advice. Greencare is a telehealth clinic offering consultations with doctors and nurse practitioners who specialise in the management of sports injuries. If you want to talk about your condition and alternative treatment options that may be available for you, you can click below to book an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Greencare is an independent telehealth clinic who are not affiliated with Levin Health.
What is the treatment for sports injuries?
Sports injury relief and recommended treatments will vary depending on where the injury is and the severity of the pain. If there is a visibly broken bone or dislocation, it is important that you seek the advice of a healthcare professional immediately, or present to hospital. Minor injuries that result in mild pain can mostly be treated with over-the-counter pain medications if required, and sometimes require the advice of a healthcare professional who may prescribe other medications.
For most minor sports injuries in the first 12 – 36 hours, the RICE method may also be of benefit:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
When should I seek medical attention for a sports injury?
Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/sports-injuries/treatment#professional-care
You should seek always seek medical attention if you experience any serious symptoms, including:
- Severe swelling
- Unbearable pain
- Popping or crunching sounds
- Visible bumps, lumps, or other deformities
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness or fever
Can I use plant-based medicine as a therapy for sports injury?
If you’ve exhausted other sports injury medicine and treatment options and haven’t experienced any relief or improvement, it might be worth chatting to your doctor to see whether plant-based medicine could be suitable to help with sports injury management for you.
If you are struggling with sports injuries, it’s important you speak with a healthcare professional for advice. Greencare is a telehealth clinic offering consultations with doctors and nurse practitioners who specialise in the management of sports injuries. If you want to talk about your condition and alternative treatment options that may be available for you, you can click below to book an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Greencare is an independent telehealth clinic who are not affiliated with Levin Health.
Book an
Appointment
We spoke to two members of our Sports Advisory board Lauren Jackson, 3x WNBA champion and Jenn Morris, Olympic gold medallist, about their involvement with Levin Health, the impact of sport in their lives and the injuries they’ve sustained throughout the years.
What are the most common injuries from sports and treatment options available?
We all know that exercise is a great way to keep fit and stay healthy and playing sports with a team or on your own can be lots of fun! Injuries can happen during exercise and have the potential to cause lasting damage if you do not seek proper sports injury treatment. Common injuries are commonly caused by insufficient warm up, lack of stretching, inadequate of strength or flexibility in a joint, poor training practices, improper gear, or even existing injuries.
Some of the most common injuries from sports can include:
- Sprains and strains
- Dislocations
- Swollen muscles and joints
- Knee injuries
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Shinbone pain
- Achilles tendon injuries
- Broken bones
- Dislocations
- Concussion
In many cases, minor injuries may be alleviated with over-the-counter medications and the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). If you are in severe pain, you should seek the advice of your doctor about the most suitable treatment and medicine for sports injuries.
What are the most common sprained knee symptoms?
There are several common sprained knee symptoms that individuals may experience. The most prevalent signs of a sprained knee include pain, swelling, and difficulty in moving the affected joint. The pain can range from mild to severe, depending on the severity of the sprain.
Swelling typically occurs due to the inflammation of the knee joint and surrounding tissues. This swelling can lead to stiffness and limited range of motion, making it challenging to walk or perform regular activities. In some cases, individuals may also notice bruising or discoloration around the knee area. If you suspect a sprained knee, it is essential to seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis and appropriate injury management.
How can I reduce my risk of sports injuries?
The most effective sports injury treatment is to not get one in the first place, which means you need to play an active role in preventing injury! Thankfully, there are several ways you can do this.
Understanding that all sports carry a level of risk is important, and being able to match the right sport with your abilities is crucial. It is also important to remember that high-contact sports carry a greater risk of injury than those with lower contact.
Some ways that you may be able to prevent sports injuries:
Taking time off when you need to, one rest day a week is a good start
Wear and use the right gear during a game or competition e.g., a mouth guard, protective gear, and helmets
Keep your muscles strong through conditioning practices
Increase your flexibility
Play safe and follow the rules – they are there to help protect players!
Adopt proper technique
Avoid heat illness and stay hydrated during the game
Don’t play when you are already injured or feel pain
How do I take care of myself after a sports injury?
Depending on the severity and the type of injury you have, it can potentially take several months to recover to a level where you’re not feeling any pain. Returning to your previous physical activity should only happen once you’ve made a full recovery, as your body will still be vulnerable to recurring injury. Always seek the advice of a healthcare professional for serious injury management to help you recover.
During recovery, it is usually important to start moving the injured body part as soon as possible. Gentle exercise is often prescribed to help improve the range of movement and may ultimately help improve pain, flexibility and strength. Your doctor, physiotherapist or another medical professional can provide you with a sports injury management plan, including a timeline for your recovery and exercises that aim to help build strength and flexibility in the affected area. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, meditation, yoga or clinical Pilates may be beneficial and may be combined with traditional treatment and medicine for sports injuries.
Where do I seek help when I have a sports injury?
There are many different types of sports injuries and seeking the right level of assistance could be the difference between a short or long recovery timeline. A severe injury might require the urgent attention of a healthcare professional or emergency department at the hospital, or a minor injury could potentially be managed at home with the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) method.
If you have a severe injury and you require medication for relief from pain, swelling and bruising, you should consult your local pharmacist or doctor for advice on your injury management. Over-the-counter medications like paracetamol and ibuprofen may help with mild pain and inflammation caused by a sports injury.
Some healthcare professionals and practitioners that may be able to help with your sports injury treatment include:
- General practitioner
- Myotherapist
- Physiotherapist
- Chiropractor
- Sports medicine clinician
- Hospital emergency department
- Osteopath
- In an emergency, call 000
Book an
Appointment
If you are struggling with sports injuries, it’s important you speak with a healthcare professional for advice. Greencare is a telehealth clinic offering consultations with doctors and nurse practitioners who specialise in the management of sports injuries. If you want to talk about your condition and alternative treatment options that may be available for you, you can click below to book an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Greencare is an independent telehealth clinic who are not affiliated with Levin Health.
How do Athletes cope with sports injuries?
There’s no doubt that during an athlete’s career it is likely they will experience some kind of sports injury, whether it be something easily overcome or a little more challenging for their mental and physical state. When an athlete sustains an injury, the impact can be very different to someone who plays sport casually.
When it comes to practical sports injury management for an athlete, treatment is similar to a casual sportsperson, however, they often have rapid access to sports injury specialists. This rapid access to recovery resources, treatment and medicine for sports injuries often means that the timeline for an athletes’ recovery can be relatively short depending on the severity of the injury.
Only when an athlete has had the correct physical and psychological training may they be able to find the mental strength during a sports injury to continue to train. Athletes are naturally highly competitive in nature, so dealing with an injury that causes breaks in competition can be psychologically challenging.
How to mentally recover from a sports injury?
Mental recovery from a sports injury is a vital aspect of an athlete’s overall rehabilitation process. To navigate this challenging journey successfully, several strategies can be employed. First and foremost, maintaining a positive mindset is essential. Focusing on the aspects within one’s control, such as following a rehabilitation plan and adhering to medical advice, can help foster a sense of empowerment and resilience.
Seeking support from a sports psychologist or counsellor can provide athletes with valuable tools to cope with the emotional and psychological impact of the injury. Engaging in visualisation techniques, setting realistic goals, and gradually reintegrating into physical activities are other effective ways to rebuild confidence and regain mental strength. Patience, self-compassion, and understanding that setbacks are a natural part of the recovery process are also key factors in fostering mental well-being.
By adopting these strategies and maintaining a proactive mindset, athletes can cultivate the mental fortitude needed to overcome the challenges posed by a sports injury and emerge stronger than before.
Below, you will find an independent telehealth clinic staffed by healthcare professionals specialising in sports injury management. If you’re seeking a consultation with a doctor knowledgeable in sports injuries, please select your preferred option to book an appointment and discuss your condition with confidence.
Find a Service
If you are struggling with sports injuries, it’s important you speak with a healthcare professional for advice. Greencare is a telehealth clinic offering consultations with doctors and nurse practitioners who specialise in the management of sports injuries. If you want to talk about your condition and alternative treatment options that may be available for you, you can click above to book an appointment with a healthcare professional.
Greencare is an independent telehealth clinic who are not affiliated with Levin Health.
Levin Health provides links to independent clinics that provide telehealth services for patients around Australia. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professionals with any questions regarding your health, medical condition, or whether a particular treatment is right for you.
FAQs
Other types of Chronic Pain
Click below to learn more about each condition, traditional treatments, and alternative options you may wish to consider.
About 10 or so years ago, I fell off a bike riding with my son and hurt my back.
Damien Hardwick – 3x AFL Premiership Coach
After a long career riding horses professionally, I suffer from nerve pain in my arm.
Damien Oliver - Champion Jockey
I have migraines every day and they’re so intense that I find it very hard to help look after my grandchildren.
Real person's testimonial. Illustrative picture.
I’ve got problems associated with wear and tear in the joints in my feet and my lower back.
Alastair Clarkson - 4x AFL Premiership Coach
The pain in my joints made it tough to keep doing what I love.
Jenn Morris – Hockey Gold Medallist
Playing professional rugby league for 15 years resulted in my body suffering a lot of trauma.
Andrew Johns – NRL Immortal
I've witnessed both personally and amongst fellow players the toll that competitive sports can take on the body.
Andrew Bogut – NBA Champion