While playing sports can be fun and help you stay in shape, they can also increase the risk of injuries. To reduce these risks, many players are required to wear protective gear and the rules of games have changed to protect athletes. But still, injuries can occur. The health benefits of playing a sport far outweigh the danger of getting hurt, especially if the players take proper precautions. However, sport injuries do happen. In this blog post, Dr. Nathen Horst and his team discuss five of the most common types of sports injuries.

• Sprains – Sprains are very common among athletes, especially those who play sports that require more running and agility. A sprain occurs when the connective tissue is either stretched beyond its normal limits or actually tears. Usually sprains are minor, but if the ligament actually severs in the ankle, it can be severe. If a patient experiences a strain, it is important to seek treatment immediately, and to listen to the advice of the doctor or chiropractor in order to prevent long term damage. When it comes to a sprain, it’s best to let it heal completely before participating in sports that require a lot of contact.
• Injuries to the knee – The knees are some of the most common areas of the body to be injured when playing sports. More than five million people have surgeries for problems with their knees every year. Runner’s knee is a common knee issue often caused by sports, as is tendonitis. Tears to the ACL can be debilitating, but they are not the only ligament in the knee that can sideline athletes.
• Fractures – Fractures are especially common and severe for players of sports like football and rugby. That doesn’t mean that players of non-contact sports are safe from fractures, it just means that the player-to-player contact that could fracture a bone are less likely in sports like tennis, cycling, running, etc. Fractures can be small and minor or they can be large and very serious.
• Dislocation – Again, dislocations are more common with contact sports, but the right fall during a non-contact game can cause a dislocation. The most common type of dislocation is the shoulder, but elbows, knees, hands, fingers, and hips can all be dislocated. Some dislocations can be dealt with onsite.
• Shin splints – If a player is experiencing pain on or behind the shin, they probably have shin splints. While painful, this is generally just a case of muscle rubbing on bone, is not serious, and can be treated by stretching properly and having shoes with great support.

For more information about how to deal with common sports injuries, patients can contact the office of Horst Chiropractic in Temecula. Any of our staff members will be happy to schedule an appointment or answer any questions about upcoming appointments. Additionally, our chiropractor can help plan, prepare, and in some cases prevent injuries. It’s always a good idea for active athletes to visit a chiropractor regularly.