It’s not hard to tell when you’ve got a sports injury. You’ll usually get it while playing or working out. You’ll notice when what you’re doing becomes painful. You may also notice other signs of injury.

Common symptoms include:

• Muscle or bone pain (musculoskeletal pain)
• Bruises, color changes or swelling that you can see
• A bone or joint looking out of place (deformity)
• A hard time moving or putting weight on the body part

The most common causes of sports injuries include:

• Falls, which account for more than 1 in 4 sports injuries, according to the CDC
• Training too hard or too long (overexertion) or overestimating your abilities, which can cause injury
• Direct impact, which includes being hit by sports equipment or running into another player

To diagnose a sports injury, your healthcare provider will start with a physical exam and medical history. They’ll ask you about what happened at the time of the injury and review your symptoms. They might check how your injured body part moves or how it feels when they touch it. Depending on the injury, they might want to look at pictures of the bones or tissues involved.

They’ll get these pictures through imaging tests like:

• X-ray
• CT scan
• MRI

When you first get a sports injury, you can treat it with the RICE method for immediate relief. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Sometimes, a parent, school nurse or sports medic will apply the RICE method on the field or playground until you can see a healthcare provider. It can help reduce pain and swelling in the acute phase of your injury. But you’ll need different treatment later on.

Many sports injuries can heal at home, though it’s important to have a healthcare provider advise you on your treatment plan. More serious sports injuries may require specialized medical care, like:

• Pain relief. You may need over-the-counter or prescription pain medications.
• Closed reduction. A healthcare provider might need to move a joint back into place.
• Surgery. You might need surgery to repair a tear or fracture, for example.
• A cast or splint. You may need to wear a cast or splint to hold your tissues in place.

When in doubt, it never hurts to see a qualified healthcare provider about an injury. Repetitive strain injuries, like tendinitis, can sometimes be hard to recognize until you see a provider. You might not realize you have an injury if you can’t connect your symptoms with a specific event. On the other hand, if you have an acute injury, you might not be able to tell how serious it is. Signs to watch for include:

• Severe pain that isn’t getting better
• Extreme bleeding, bruising or swelling
• Obvious deformity, like bones that look out of place
• You can’t move or use the injured par

Sports Injury Rehabilitation Stages

After initially sustaining a sports injury, it can be easy to want to rush through the recovery process and return to the game. However, taking the time to go through each stage of rehabilitation will help ensure you make a full recovery. At Dua’s Speciality Clinic, our team knows which stage of recovery an athlete should attain and when they’ll be ready to move on to the next. By choosing our staff to administer your physical therapy, you’ll be able to return to your sport with no risk of future injury.

1. Pain and Swelling Reduction

2. Improve Joint Mobility and Range of Motion

3. Regain Your Strength and Endurance

4. Increase Coordination Skills

5. Recovering Sports-Specific Movements

Not all injuries are preventable, but there are some practical steps you can take to reduce your risk:

• Get trained: When you start a new activity, make sure you learn and practice safe techniques.
• Gear up: Use the right protective gear and equipment to prevent injuries.
• Start slow: Warm up and stretch before activity. Gradually increase your level of intensity.
• Build fitness: A regular fitness routine will help condition your body for various sports.
• Mix it up: Cross-train or vary your exercise routine. Don’t play the same sport year-round.
• Know your limits: Listen to your body and don’t push it too far. Allow yourself time to recover.