This March, you or your child may be preparing for the spring sports season. While staying physically active is essential to our overall health, sports injuries are a common occurrence among athletes. Injuries can have a big impact on your ability to stay active, so it’s important to know how to prevent them from occurring, and how to recover quickly. This blog will explore the various types of sports injuries, how to prevent and treat them, and when you can return to sports.
For same-day sports injury care, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale. Our board-certified medical providers specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide range of acute injuries. It’s important to recover in the hands of those who care, so walk-in to our clinic today!
What Are Sports Injuries?
There are a variety of injuries that athletes can experience while playing sports. Acute injuries, like sprains or strains, can occur as a result of a single movement– like a slip or fall. On the other hand, overuse injuries, like tendinitis, can occur when a movement is performed overtime that causes chronic pain. Not all injuries are the same and they can require different types of care depending on the severity.
Common sports injuries include:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Sprains and strains
- Dislocations
- Concussions
- Cuts, scrapes and bruises
How To Prevent & Treat Sports Injuries
Knowing how to prevent sports injuries is the best way to avoid getting hurt while in the game. Preventative measures, like a proper warm-up and stretching before physical activity, are critical when it comes to sports. Other prevention methods include wearing the appropriate equipment, staying hydrated, and allowing your body to rest and recover in between games and practices.
As much as we try to prevent them, injuries can happen to anybody. And when they do, it’s very important that you know how to treat your injury and when to seek medical treatment if necessary. Prompt treatment is crucial to minimizing pain, swelling, and further complications that could lead to chronic pain. Depending on the level of severity, injury care could involve rest, ice, compression, and/or elevation. If you’re unsure which injury you have sustained, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis. Visiting a walk-in clinic like AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale is a great resource to get a fast and accurate diagnosis of your injury, and additional treatment options. Healthcare providers may also prescribe the appropriate pain medication to help alleviate symptoms and assist with pain levels during the recovery process.
When To Return To Sports
When you’ve sustained a sports injury, you might be wondering when you can return to your sport. Returning to physical activity too soon, or without the proper treatment, can increase the risk of re-injury and further damage the inflicted area. The timeframe of your recovery and when you can return to sports depends on which injury you’re dealing with and the severity of pain. It’s important to speak with a medical professional to develop a plan to get back into activity. Remember, it’s okay to start slow and gradually build up your strength. Listen to your body to ensure a safe return to your sport.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale for Sports Injury Treatment
When sports injuries happen, AFC Urgent Care Hillsdale is here. Our board-certified medical providers are experienced in diagnosing and treating acute sports injuries, so you can safely return to your sport as quickly as possible. AFC Hillsdale is open seven days a week and operates on a walk-in basis, meaning you never need to make an appointment prior to visiting! Simply walk-in to start recovering in the right hands. If you have any additional questions about strep throat treatment, or other services we provide, please call our office directly at (201) 523-9222.
