Top 10 Most Common Types of Sports Injuries

If you’re an athlete, particularly if you play sports regularly, then it’s likely that you’ve had some form of sports injury at some point. But which kinds of injuries are the most common? Below are some of the top 10 most common types of sports injuries, along with advice on how to prevent them. In some cases, knowing your rights as an injured athlete can be helpful as well.

#1. Lower back pain

With so much force involved in sports, it’s not uncommon for athletes to suffer back injuries. From sprains and strains to fractures and ruptures, there are many different types of back injuries that could leave you sidelined. If you suspect that you have a sports-related lower back injury, don’t hesitate to contact a sports injury lawyer in your area. With proper treatment and rest, you may be able to avoid serious injuries—and if necessary, recover damages from those responsible for your pain and suffering.

#2. Ankle sprains

An ankle sprain is one of the most common types of sports injuries. The terms sprain and strain are often used interchangeably when discussing an injury, but they actually mean two different things. A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is stretched beyond its normal capacity, while a sprain refers to damage that has occurred in ligaments and tendons. Accidents involving contact with another person can also result in sprains and strains; these are referred to as contact injuries.

#3. Hamstring pulls

A hamstring pull is one of many types of sports injuries commonly seen by doctors and physical therapists. This injury often affects athletes who participate in power sports, such as football, soccer, and track. Hamstring pulls can also occur in individuals who engage in moderate exercise or high-impact activities such as running or jumping. With a hamstring pull, you might feel a sharp pain when you are running, kicking a ball, or playing tennis that radiates down your leg into your knee and calf.

#4. Knee ligament tears

Another type of sports injury that many athletes encounter are knee ligament tears. The severity of the tear depends on how the injury was suffered and which ligaments were torn. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is one that sports injury lawyers see most often. This type of injury involves damage to a structure in your knee joint. There are two ACLs—the lateral and medial collateral ligaments (LCLs) on either side of your knee joint.

#5. ACL injuries

Also known as anterior cruciate ligament tears, ACL injuries involve a partial or complete tear of your anterior cruciate ligament. Although most commonly seen in football and basketball players, these injuries also affect soccer players and skiers. ACL injuries can lead to damage to your cartilage, meniscus and other knee structures and require surgery followed by physical therapy.

#6. Hip injuries

Hip injuries are common among athletes. These types of injuries include damage to hip muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. They’re usually caused by an impact on a hard surface or non-contact forces (such as overuse). Over 50% of hip injuries require surgery. The most common sports that cause hip injuries include cycling, soccer, gymnastics, football, volleyball and baseball.

#7. Shoulder injuries

Shoulder injuries can range from relatively minor to serious, depending on whether any bones are broken or damaged. Some common shoulder injuries include rotator cuff injuries, impingement syndromes and labral tears. If you’re suffering from one of these, it’s important to seek professional help immediately in order to avoid permanent damage. While most shoulder injuries heal naturally with time, some require surgical intervention by a sports injury attorney.

#8. Wrist injuries

Wrist injuries can range from sprains and strains to broken bones. If you’re a tennis player, your chances of suffering a wrist injury are high because your wrists take such a pounding on that small surface area. Wrist pain can also be caused by poor equipment like bad tennis rackets, inflexible and sweaty grips, or hard courts with no shock absorption.

#9. Concussions

Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury. They can result from a hit to the head or body, or if your head and neck are forcefully whipped back and forth. According to Statistics Brain, roughly 300,000 concussions occur in sports-related injuries every year. The most common types of sports associated with concussions include football, ice hockey, and soccer.

#10. Fractures

A fracture is a break in a bone and happens when there is too much force on it. You can fracture your bones from sports, falls, accidents or any other type of trauma. If you suffer from a fractured bone due to playing sports or an accident, you should seek immediate medical attention for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Looking for Experienced Legal Help?

At Heidari Law Group, our team of sports injury attorneys have years of experience helping our get compensation for the damages they’ve suffered. Reach out to us today for a free case consultation.

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