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Sports is one of the best-known ways to keep your body healthy and in the best shape, which is what makes professional athletes absolute masters of their craft. However, sports injuries are unfortunately quite common as well, and although some of them are very mild, there are also some that are so intense that they can end careers for good and even result in lifelong disability. Some of them are acute and appear as a direct result of an impact, while others are the result of overuse after years of training and competitions.
Some of the most common injuries include sprains, joint damage, bruising, nose bleeds, and fractures. Medical attention is essential even in the case of the milder injuries, as they can have serious consequences in the long-term. Here are some of the most likely issues, as well as the treatments and prevention methods that can solve or avert them.
Ankle sprains
Spraining your ankle is one of the most common sports injuries in the world, but that doesn’t make it any less painful and uncomfortable. If you’ve become injured as a result of not being provided with the right equipment, you can sue the person or company responsible through the use of the https://www.how-to-sue.co.uk platform. You will be entitled to compensation based on the particularities of your case and the extent of your injuries because the responsible individuals have failed in their duty of care towards you. The most common symptoms include bruising, restricted range of motion, pain, tenderness, and instability in the ankle.
Sports such as football, tennis, trail running, and basketball see the highest incidence of ankle sprains, as they involve a lot of twisting, rolling, jumping, and cutting manoeuvres. Previous ankle injuries can also make it more likely that you’ll encounter sprains again in the future, and they might, in fact, be more severe the second or third time. Chronic ankle pain and arthritis are some of the most likely complications, but you can minimize the risk of an ankle injury altogether by warming up and maintaining good flexibility and muscle strength.
Bruising
Bruises form as a result of impact and are the result of blood vessels tearing underneath the skin. The trapped fluid can end up creating bruises that are purple, blue, or even black, then, as they gradually heal, the colour changes to green and faded yellow. Generally, bruises heal on their own, but they can be unsightly and painful, so it makes sense that you’d want to speed up the process. Elevating the bruised area above heart level, if possible, promotes reduced swelling as the blood circulates more efficiently. Resting and propping the injured area on pillows works well, too.
Apply an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel, and make sure to keep it in place for about a quarter of an hour to twenty minutes for maximum effect. An elastic bandage can help with the swelling, but it shouldn’t be uncomfortably tight, or it will delay healing and perhaps cause additional complications as well. You should seek immediate medical attention if the area is especially painful, the pain has not decreased at all or is actually becoming more intense after three to five days, or you notice a lump form over the bruise, as this can be a sign of pooling blood.
Abrasions
There are three main types of abrasions: linear, patterned, or grazed. The first is the typical scratches, the second appears after your skin makes forceful contact with an object and rubs against it, while the third results from the skin being dragged across a rough surface. In most cases, abrasions are not severe, but they can lead to serious infections if they are very deep and not cared for properly. Bleeding is typically mild, but you may notice skin discolouration and pink or clear fluid leaking from the wound. If you develop an infection, the tell-tale signs will include swelling, pain, pus oozing from the injury, and fever. The wound not healing or taking much longer than usual to heal can also be a sign of infection.
Although infections can start off very mildly, you should nonetheless receive treatment to avoid the possibility of a systemic reaction. Make sure to wash the wound with soap and water, and try to remove the debris with tweezers. If this is too difficult to do on your own, you should visit the emergency room instead of risking to make your injury more severe. Topical antibiotics can be administered in order to prevent infections in the first place.
Nose injuries
The nose is quite vulnerable during sports competitions, and injuries taking place both inside and outside the nose can be incredibly painful. Nosebleeds are the most common and are typically caused by acute damage. Even minor accidents can cause your nose to start bleeding. You should always lean forward to prevent the blood from entering your stomach. Blowing your nose gently can clean away any clots, and pinching the nostrils shut for ten to fifteen minutes while breathing through your mouth can stop the blood flow. Nosebleeds taking longer than half an hour to resolve, those that involve a huge amount of blood, or cases in which a broken nose is suspected require immediate medical attention.
Nose fractures can typically be present on the same day and very often require surgical intervention. Mild fractures can be delayed to about seven days post-injury at the most, but all nasal fractures should be repaired before ten days. If you have nosebleeds very often in the aftermath of an injury, you will need additional treatment that can keep your symptoms under control, such as blood vessel cauterisation.
Sports injuries can stop you from competing and even impact your health in the long-term. Make sure to always see a doctor and receive treatment if you’ve become wounded. Health damage that is left unattended can be much more difficult to deal with in the future, as well as more expensive. It is better to be responsible and solve the issues as soon as possible for your own well-being.