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What concerns
most of us is prevention of injury - whether intentional or unintentional.
One may take precautions to keep sharp objects from reach of young
children or may advise a teen to abstain from violent behavior. But you
cannot always prevent a sting or a burn from hot water, so a whole list of
injuries (both minor and major) has been compiled along with guidelines
for treatment for your benefit.
sports injury, in the broadest sense, refers to the kinds of injuries that
most commonly occur during sports or exercise. Some sports injuries result
from accidents; others are due to poor training practices, improper
equipment, lack of conditioning, or insufficient warm up and stretching.
Although virtually any part of your body can be injured during sports or
exercise, the term is usually reserved for injuries that involve the
musculoskeletal system, which includes the muscles, bones, and associated
tissues like cartilage. Whether an injury is acute or chronic, there is
never a good reason to try to "work through" the pain of an injury. When
you have pain from a particular movement or activity, STOP! Continuing the
activity only causes further harm. Whether an injury is acute or chronic,
there is never a good reason to try to "work through" the pain of an
injury. When you have pain from a particular movement or activity, STOP!
Continuing the activity only causes further harm.
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Rest.
Reduce regular exercise or
activities of daily living as needed. If you cannot put weight on an
ankle or knee, crutches may help. If you use a cane or one crutch for an
ankle injury, use it on the uninjured side to help you lean away and
relieve weight on the injured ankle.
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Ice.
Apply an ice pack to the injured
area for 20 minutes at a time, four to eight times a day. A cold pack,
ice bag, or plastic bag filled with crushed ice and wrapped in a towel
can be used. To avoid cold injury and frostbite, do not apply the ice
for more than 20 minutes. (Note: Do not use heat immediately after an
injury. This tends to increase internal bleeding or swelling. Heat can
be used later on to relieve muscle tension and promote relaxation.)
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Compression. Compression of
the injured area may help reduce swelling. Compression can be achieved
with elastic wraps, special boots, air casts, and splints. Ask your
health care provider for advice on which one to use.
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Elevation. If possible, keep
the injured ankle, knee, elbow, or wrist elevated on a pillow, above the
level of the heart, to help decrease swelling.
You should call a
health professional if
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The injury causes
severe pain, swelling, or numbness
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You can't tolerate
any weight on the area
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The pain or dull
ache of an old injury is accompanied by increased swelling or joint
abnormality or instability.
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