What sports injuries are
A sports injury is any damage to muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage or bone that happens during exercise. It concerns the professional athlete, but far more often the person who runs in the morning, plays football after work or goes to the gym.
They fall into two groups. Acute injuries happen in a moment, with a fall or a sudden twist. Overuse injuries build up slowly, when the training load is more than the tissue can take.
The most common injuries
- Ankle sprain. The most frequent sports injury of all.
- Muscle strains. Mostly hamstrings, calf and groin.
- Meniscus tear. A twist of the knee with the foot planted. See arthroscopy and the meniscus.
- ACL tear. A sudden change of direction or a bad landing. See ACL tears.
- Cartilage damage. Often together with ligament injuries. See cartilage damage.
- Tendon problems. Patellar tendon, Achilles tendon, tennis elbow.
- Shoulder dislocation and injuries of the acromioclavicular joint.
- Stress fractures in runners, in the shin and the metatarsals.
The first 48 hours
The right care at the start limits swelling and saves days of rehabilitation.
- Stop the activity. Playing through it turns small damage into bigger damage.
- Ice for 15 to 20 minutes, several times a day.
- An elastic bandage, with the limb raised.
- Gentle movement as far as pain allows. Complete rest slows healing.
When to see an orthopaedic surgeon
- When you heard or felt a pop at the moment of injury.
- When the joint swelled within a few hours.
- When you cannot put weight on the leg or lift the arm.
- When the joint gives way or locks.
- When there is deformity or numbness.
- When the pain is no better within a week.
How the diagnosis is made
The most important tools are the history and the clinical examination: how the injury happened, where exactly it hurts, which movements bring the pain on. An X-ray rules out a fracture. Ultrasound shows muscles and tendons. An MRI scan is requested when damage to a meniscus, a ligament or cartilage is suspected.
An MRI without a clinical examination can mislead. A finding matters only when it fits what you feel.
Treatment
Most sports injuries heal without surgery, with the right loading and physiotherapy.
- Protection and gradual loading, instead of long immobilisation.
- Physiotherapy for movement, strength and balance.
- Biologic treatments, such as PRP, for stubborn tendon problems and selected muscle injuries.
- Surgery, when there is a mechanical problem or instability: meniscus repair, ACL reconstruction, cartilage repair. Most operations are done by arthroscopy.
The return to sport
The return is not set by the calendar. It is set by criteria: full movement with no swelling, strength close to the healthy side, good technique in running and landing, and trust in the limb that was injured.
Going back too early is the most common cause of re-injury. A few extra weeks often save a whole season.
Prevention
- A 10-minute warm-up with dynamic drills and balance work.
- A gradual rise in training, about 10% a week.
- Strength work twice a week, even for those who only run.
- Sleep and rest days. Tissue gets stronger while it rests.
- Shoes that suit the surface and the sport.
Experience from high-level sport
Dr Skotidis was a member of the medical team of Panionios FC and worked as a doctor at Adidas Runbase. He studied physiotherapy before medicine, and that shapes how he sees rehabilitation: as part of the treatment, not something that comes after it.
Common questions
Ice or heat after an injury?
Ice for the first 48 hours, to limit swelling. Heat helps later, with muscle stiffness.
Do I need an MRI for every injury?
No. Most injuries are diagnosed by clinical examination. An MRI is requested when its result would change the treatment.
When can I play again?
When the limb has full movement, does not swell and has strength close to the healthy side. Timing varies a great deal with the injury.
Medically reviewed by Manos Skotidis, MD, MSc. This information is educational and does not replace a medical examination.