Trauma is any injury caused during physical activity, motor vehicle accidents, electric shock, or other activities. Sports trauma or sports injuries refer to injuries caused while playing indoor or outdoor sports and exercising. Sports trauma can result from accidents, inadequate training, improper use of protective devices, or insufficient stretching or warm-up exercises. The most common sports injuries are sprains and strains, fractures, and dislocations.
The most common treatment recommended for injury is rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE).
- Rest: Avoid activities that may cause injury.
- Ice: Ice packs can be applied to the injured area which will help to diminish swelling and pain. Ice should be applied over a towel to the affected area for 15-20 minutes four times a day for several days. Never place ice directly over the skin.
- Compression:Compression of the injured area helps to reduce swelling. Elastic wraps, air casts, and splints can accomplish this.
- Elevation:Elevate the injured part above heart level to reduce swelling and pain.
Your doctor may recommend other treatments to help your injury heal. These include:
- Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: These drugs reduce swelling and pain.
- Immobilization: Immobilization is minimizing the movement of injured area to prevent further damage. It also reduces pain, swelling, and muscle spasm. Slings are given to immobilize the arms and shoulders.
- Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation involves exercises that get the injured area back to normal condition. Exercises start with gentle range-of-motion exercises followed by stretching and strengthening exercises.
- Other Therapies: Other common therapies that help in the healing of sports injuries include mild electrical currents (electro stimulation), cold packs or cryotherapy, heat packs or thermotherapy, high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound), massage and platelet rich plasma (PRP injections).
Surgery:Surgery is the last resort for management and is indicated only if conservative techniques are not helpful. Surgeries are performed to repair torn tendons and ligaments or to realign the broken bones.