Athletic Injuries

Athletic injuries are either acute injuries or overuse injuries. Acute injuries are caused by sudden trauma and include injuries to soft tissues (contussion, strains, and sprains) and to bone (fractures). Overuse injuries have been described as chronic injuries, including stress fractures that result from constant high levels of physiologic stress without sufficient recovery time. They commonly occur in the elbow ("Little League elbow" or "tennis elbow") and in tissue where tendons attached to the bone, such as the heel, knee, and shoulder. Contact
sports pose a greater threat for injury to the neck, spine, and growth plates in children and adolescents, who have not yet reached maturity. Injuries can be prevented by proper training, use of safety equipment, and competition according to skill and size rather than chronologic age. Adequate warm-up time, hydration, and proper nutrition are also key factors in injury prevention.

Treatment for minor soft tissue injuries:

• compressing the injured area with an elastic bandage
• elevation
• ice
• rest