Sports injuries explained by orthopedist in Barranquilla Dra. Mirian Benavides

The most frequent types of sports injuries are contusions (blow), sprains (ligament injuries), fractures (bone injuries), tendon ruptures, muscle tears. They all involve different structures that allow movement, thanks to which walking or grasping is carried out.

Among the most common causes are overload, direct trauma, sports trauma, poor prior muscle preparation (warm-up), lack of stretching work at the end of sports practice.

In my medical practice, the most frequent sports injuries that I see in consultation are sprains, tendinitis due to overload, meniscal injuries, muscle tears.

The first treatment option for a sports injury is prevention, then we continue with ice as a natural anti-inflammatory and physical therapy for pain management, lymphatic drainage and injury recovery.

Sports injuries are prevented by reviewing and applying the rules of sports practice, which is to prepare the joints with warm-up at the beginning of the activity and stretching at the end of sports practice. Learn about the right shoes for the type of sport and the sports gesture to be able to practice it in the best way.

In the event of a sports injury, ice should be applied immediately, analgesics taken for pain management, checking for movement limitations and, if so, going to a priority medical consultation or emergency room to be managed by the professional in charge.

In the event of a sports injury, manipulations should not be performed if the type of injury is unknown. You should also not continue to do physical activity while you have pain.

You should go to the orthopedic doctor for a sports injury whenever significant inflammation, bruising, limitation or pain with movement is identified. Injuries should not be underestimated, sprains are minimized in the case of a ligament rupture that must be managed and controlled to avoid subsequent sequelae.