Top 10 Most Common Sports Injuries

Participating in sports is a great way to exercise, learn to work as a team, and have fun.  But did you know that millions of people sustain sports-related injuries yearly?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. about 8.6 million people sustain some type of sports injury yearly. Injuries may range from mild to life-threatening. The National Safety Council reports in 2023, 3.7 million people were treated in the emergency room for a sports injury.

The article below covers the ten most common sports injuries, including their causes, risk factors, symptoms, treatment, and prevention tips. By learning more about common sports injuries, you may be able to take specific steps to reduce your risk.

Ankle Sprains

A sprained ankle may occur if you twist, roll, or turn your ankle in an awkward position, stretching and tearing the ligaments that hold your ankle bone together. 

Research in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Therapy reports that, according to a review of emergency department records, the incidence rate of ankle sprains in the United States is about 2.15 per 1000 persons. Many of these sprains occur as a result of sports injuries. A lateral ankle sprain is the most common type associated with athletic activities. 

Common causes and risk factors

Participating in sports is a common cause of a sprained ankle. During various sports activities, stretching the ankle's ligaments beyond their normal limits is easy.

Common causes in sports include running, jumping, or pivoting awkwardly, which causes you to twist your ankle.

Although anyone could sustain an ankle sprain, risk factors include wearing improper shoes, being in poor physical condition, and participating in sports requiring pivoting, cutting, and jumping, such as soccer, football, and tennis.

Symptoms and diagnosis 

The signs and symptoms of a sprained ankle may include:

• Pain
• Trouble walking
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Decrease range of motion
• Ankle instability

A diagnosis of an ankle sprain usually occurs after a physician's examination and likely imaging studies. Imaging tests may include an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan.

Treatment and prevention tips

Treatment aims to ease symptoms and prevent further injury. The extent of treatment may depend on the severity of the sprain. 

Home treatment typically includes: 

R: Rest 

I: Ice

C: Compression: 

E: Elevation 

RICE Treatment decreases inflammation and swelling and may ease bruising and discomfort. Over-the-counter pain medication, such as Tylenol, may help reduce pain. You may need to use crutches to prevent putting too much weight on this sore ankle.

After inflammation and pain have subsided, depending on the severity of the sprain, a physician may recommend specific strengthening exercises to help prevent additional sprains. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, surgery may be needed in rare instances if the ankle remains unstable or does not heal after a long rehabilitation period. Surgery may include repairing or reconstructing a ligament that is not healing.

There may be some steps you can take to reduce your risk of a sprained ankle, including the following:

• Warm up properly before engaging in any sports activity.
• Wear athletic shoes that fit well and are made for the type of activity you are doing.
• Maintain good muscle strength and flexibility.
• Use an ankle brace or tape if you've previously injured your ankle.

Knee Injuries

Knee injuries include sprains, soft tissue tears, fractures, and dislocations. Common knee sports injuries involve ACL tears, MCL sprains, and meniscus tears.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, anterior cruciate ligament ( ACL) tears commonly occur in sports that involve pivoting and cutting, such as basketball, football, and soccer. This is because changing directions quickly or landing from a jump can put additional pressure on the ACL, leading to a tear.

Common causes and risk factors 

The various types of sports movements may increase your risk of developing a knee injury. For example, ACL tears are common when participating in sports where you rapidly change directions, such as basketball.

Risk factors for sustaining a knee injury include:

• Being deconditioned
• Not warming up properly
• Being overweight
• Having a previous knee injury

Prevention strategies and rehabilitation methods 

Treatment may include RICE, over-the-counter pain medication, and physical therapy. Rehab strategies may consist of strengthening the muscles that support the knee, which reduces stress on the knee joint. Improving flexibility is also essential for restoring the knee's range of motion. Muscles targeted in a rehab program often include quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes.

Strategies to prevent knee injuries include strengthening the muscles surrounding your knee, including your hamstrings and quadriceps, proper stretching, maintaining a healthy weight, and practicing your movement patterns and techniques in the sports you are participating in.

Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries may commonly include dislocations and rotator cuff tears. They may occur in sports involving repetitive overhead shoulder movements, such as swimming, tennis, and volleyball.

For example, about 23% to 38% of swimmers sustained shoulder injuries within the first one to three years.

Shoulder injuries, such as dislocations, can occur due to sudden movement or falls. Other instances, such as rotator cuff injuries, may be caused by progressive wear and tear of the tendon.

Causes and risk factors

Risk factors include the following: 

• Being over age 60
• Working in certain occupations which may cause damage to the shoulder and make it more susceptible to an injury 
• Participating in sports with a lot of overhead motion, such as swimming in tennis 

Treatment options and rehabilitation exercises

Treatment for a shoulder injury may depend on the exact problem.  For example, a dislocation requires the shoulder to be put back into the socket.  Certain types of rotator cuff tears may require surgical repair. 

Regular exercises are often part of a rehabilitation program after a shoulder injury. They can improve range of motion and strength, which may reduce the risk of future injuries. The specific exercises recommended may depend on the type of injury sustained.

General rehabilitation exercises for the shoulder may include:

• Shoulder abduction 
• Shoulder extension 
• Shoulder internal and external rotation

Concussions

A concussion involves an injury to the brain that results in a decrease or temporary loss of normal brain function.  It is a type of traumatic brain injury.

Symptoms 

Symptoms of a concussion may include:

• Headache
• Confusion
• Blurry or double-vision
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Ringing ears
• Sensitivity to light
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory loss

The need for immediate treatment 

According to the American Society of Neurological Surgeons, even concussions that are perceived as mild should be taken seriously and evaluated immediately. A physician should evaluate any injury to the brain to ensure there is no bleeding on the brain or fracture to the skull.

Prevention and guidelines 

The best way to reduce the risk of a sports-related concussion is to wear the appropriate helmet for the activity you are participating in. Make sure the helmet fits well and is replaced when it has been damaged. 

To prevent further injury, following suggested sports guidelines after a concussion is vital. After a head injury, it is essential to stop participating in the sport immediately. The next step is an evaluation by a doctor.

School athletes who sustain a concussion will generally need to stay out of play until they receive written clearance from a healthcare professional.

Muscle Strains and Sprains

Muscle strains and sprains are among the most common types of sports injuries. A sprain involves a tear or stretch of a ligament, while a muscle strain is an injury to the tendon or muscle. A muscle strain in a sprain can affect most muscles of the body. However, common muscle groups affected include the calf, quadriceps, and hamstrings.

Causes and risk factors

Both strains and sprains can occur as acute injuries caused by sudden trauma, such as twisting awkwardly. Overuse injuries from sports can also occur, but symptoms tend to come on gradually.

Anyone can develop a muscle strain or sprain. However, athletes are at an increased risk due to sudden increases in intensity, duration, or frequency of activity.

Treatment and rehabilitation methods

Treatment for a muscle sprain or strain may depend on the severity of the injury. Typically, treatment involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation. If the sprain or strain is moderate to severe, your physician may recommend physical therapy. Rehabilitation methods may include immobilizing the area with a splint or brace and exercises to strengthen the area and increase the range of motion.

Shin Splints

Shin splints involve pain and tenderness just behind or along the large bone in your lower leg. Shin splints are very common among some types of sports. Estimates are that shin splints affect between 13.6% and 20% of runners.

Symptoms and causes

Symptoms of shin splints include pain felt on the outside of the shin.  Pain may worsen when rolling the ankle inward or standing on the toes. Usually, shin splints occur after repetitive high-impact sports such as running or basketball.

Prevention tips and treatment options

You may be able to reduce your risk of shin splints by doing the following:

• Performing proper stretching exercises of your calf, shin, and heels
• Wearing good-fitting athletic shoes
• Gradually increase the intensity of the activity you are doing 

Treatment generally includes home remedies such as over-the-counter pain medication, cold packs, strengthening and stretching exercises, and wearing running shoes with a special arch support.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow involves stress to the tendon that connects the forearm muscles to the elbow. It's very common, and it's not always a sports-related injury. According to the Cleveland Clinic in the United States, about 3% of all people experience tennis elbow each year. 

Symptoms and causes

Symptoms of tennis elbow include:

• Elbow pain typically on the outside of the elbow
• Elbow stiffness
• Swelling
• A weakened grip

Tennis elbow is usually caused by repetitive motions, such as swinging or twisting your lower arm. For example, it can be caused by hitting a tennis ball repetitively, which is why it got the name tennis elbow.

Treatment and prevention strategies

Treatment for tennis elbow may include the following:

• RICE
• Over-the-counter pain medication
• Physical therapy to strengthen the structures around the elbow 
• Wearing a brace on your elbow to provide support 
• Corticosteroid shot to reduce inflammation 

Prevention strategies for tennis elbow include wearing the proper protective equipment for your sports or hobbies. Giving your body time to recover after intense workouts is also helpful. Additional prevention techniques include: 

• Stretching and warming up before playing sport
• Cooling down and stretching after participating in physical activity
• Maintaining good flexibility

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is the connective tissue that runs from the heel to the base of the toes. 

Symptoms and causes

Plantar fasciitis usually occurs due to repetitive activity such as running or other high-impact sports. In addition to sports, risk factors for developing plantar fasciitis include high arches, obesity, and increasing high-impact activity.

The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain near the heel or the bottom of the foot. Pain worsens first thing in the morning or after several hours of inactivity.

Treatment options and home remedies

Treatment may depend on the severity of the symptoms and how long they have been present.  Home treatment may be enough  to reduce symptoms and includes:

• Stretching exercises for your foot, Achilles tendon, and calf
• Wearing supportive shoes and not walking barefoot
• Wearing a night splint
• Limiting activity that causes pain, such as running

If home remedies are not enough to decrease symptoms of plantar fasciitis, additional treatment may be helpful and includes:

• Shockwave therapy
• Platelet-rich plasma injections 
• Steroid shots

Hip Flexor Strains

A hip flexor strain is an injury to the muscle where your thigh meets your hips. It typically involves a tear in the muscle tissue. Research indicates that 5% to 28% of athletes in high-risk sports sustain a hip flexor strain.

Common causes and risk factors

A hip flexor strain is usually caused by repetitive motion, such as playing sports. Risk factors include not stretching or warming up before participating in sports and lacking flexibility.

Treatment and prevention tips

Treatment generally includes resting the area, ice, and over-the-counter pain medications. Hip flexor strains typically heal on their own without any medical intervention. However, if the strain is severe enough, physical therapy may be recommended.

The most effective way to prevent a hip flexor strain is to warm up before exercising and adequately stretch. Increasing your overall flexibility is also vital to avoid future injuries.

Groin Strains

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a groin strain is one of the most common sports injuries that affects athletes. It involves a strain in the groin, which is the muscles that connect your lower abdomen to your thighs. Doctors grade groin strains according to their severity from one to three. 

Symptoms and causes

Symptoms of a groin strain include:

• Groin pain
• Muscle weakness
• Swelling
• Difficulty moving the hip or leg
• Muscle spasms

A groin strain usually occurs when you stretch the groin muscles beyond their limit. It can commonly occur in sports such as football, hockey, and soccer. 

Treatment and prevention strategies

Treatment for a groin strain typically involves RICE and a gradual return to activity. Surgery may be needed to repair a tear in cases of severe strain. 

The best way to prevent a groin strain is to properly warm up before more intense sports activity and improve flexibility through stretching exercises.

Conclusion

Sports injuries are widespread, including minor injuries such as strains and sprains. Sports injuries may also include more severe injuries such as meniscus tears, rotator cuff tears, and concussions.

Seeking professional medical treatment when an injury occurs is essential for proper treatment and complete recovery.  Implementing injury prevention strategies to reduce your risk of a sports injury is also vital.