Exercising is good for you, but sometimes you can injure yourself when you play sports or exercise. Accidents, poor training practices or improper gear can cause them. Some people get hurt because they are not in shape. Not warming up or stretching enough can also lead to injuries.
The most common sports injuries are
- Sprains and strains
- Knee injuries
- Swollen muscles
- Achilles tendon injuries
- Pain along the shin bone
- Fractures
- Dislocations
If you get hurt, stop playing. Continuing to play or exercise can cause more harm. Treatment often begins with the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) method to relieve pain, reduce swelling and speed healing. Other possible treatments include pain relievers, keeping the injured area from moving, rehabilitation and sometimes surgery.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- Dealing with Sports Injuries(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/sports/sports_injuries.html
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What Are Sports Injuries?
(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Sports_Injuries/sports_injuries_ff.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/Informacion_de_Salud/Lesiones_deportivas/default.asp
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Sports Injuries(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Sports_Injuries/default.asp
- Weak Hips May Lead to Runners' Lower-Leg Injuries(05/04/2009, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83796.html
- Exercise Therapy Best Way to Treat Groin Pain(04/15/2009, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_82975.html
- R.I.C.E.: Rest-Ice-Compression-Elevation(National Athletic Trainers' Association) - http://www.nata.org/consumer/rice.htm
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MedlinePlus: Sports Safety(National Library of Medicine) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sportssafety.html
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/sportssafety.html
- Running Injury Prevention(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00320
- Return to Play(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00365
- AC Joint Injuries(American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine) - Links to PDF - http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20AC%20Joint%20Injuries%2008.pdf
- Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Injuries(American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine) - Links to PDF - http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20Skiing%20and%20Snowboard%2008.pdf
- Ankle Sprains: How to Speed Your Recovery(American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine) - Links to PDF - http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20Ankle%20Sprains%2008.pdf
- Articular Cartilage Injuries(American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine) - Links to PDF - http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20Articular%20Cartilage%2008.pdf
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Burners(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/brain/head/478.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/brain/head/478.printerview.html
- Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/chronic-exertional-compartment-syndrome/DS00789/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
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Concussion in Sports(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/brain/head/458.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/brain/head/458.printerview.html
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Eye Injuries in Sports(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/injuries/794.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/physical/injuries/794.printerview.html
- Facial Sports Injuries(American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery) - http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/facialSportsInjuries.cfm
- Golf Injuries(American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine) - Links to PDF - http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20Golf%20Injuries%2008.pdf
- Golfer's Elbow(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/golfers-elbow/DS00713/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Hamstring Muscle Strain(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00408
- Heat Injury(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00319
- Impingement of the Shoulder(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00032
- Injured ACL(American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine) - Links to PDF - http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20Injured%20ACL%2008.pdf
- Knee Ligament Injuries(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00349
- Lower Back Pain in Athletes(American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine) - Links to PDF - http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20Lower%20Back%20Pain%2008.pdf
- Mallet Finger (Baseball Finger)(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00018
- Meniscal Tears in Athletes(American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine) - Links to PDF - http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20Meniscal%20Tears%2008.pdf
- Misdiagnosed Muscle Strain Can Be a Pain(American Osteopathic Association) - http://www.osteopathic.org/index.cfm?PageID=you_sporthernia
- Overuse Injuries(American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine) - Links to PDF - http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20Overuse%20Injuries%2008.pdf
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Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/injuries/479.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/physical/injuries/479.printerview.html
- Runner's Knee (Patellofemoral Pain)(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00382
- Runners of All Types Prone to Injuries(American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) - http://www.aapmr.org/condtreat/injuries/runfact.htm
- Running and Jogging Injuries(American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine) - Links to PDF - http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20Running%20and%20Jogging%2008.pdf
- Shin Splints(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/shin-splints/DS00271/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
- Sports-Related Head Injury(American Association of Neurological Surgeons) - http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/what/patient_e/sports.asp?link_id=5792
- Sprains and Strains(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/sprains-and-strains/DS00343/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Stinger(North American Spine Society) - Links to PDF - http://www.spine.org/Documents/stingers_2006.pdf
- Stress Fractures(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/stress-fractures/DS00556/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Tennis Elbow(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/tennis-elbow/DS00469/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
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Tennis Elbow
(Patient Education Institute) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/tenniselbow/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/tenniselbowspanish/htm/index.htm - Throwing Injuries in the Elbow(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00328
- Yips(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/yips/DS00969/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Athletes Face Tough Opponent: Skin Cancer(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/athletes.html
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Exercise-Induced Urticaria (Hives)(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/injuries/737.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/physical/injuries/737.printerview.html
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High-Altitude Illness: How to Avoid It and How to Treat It(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/injuries/247.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/physical/injuries/247.printerview.html
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Knee Bracing: What Works?(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/injuries/490.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/physical/injuries/490.printerview.html
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Sever's Disease: A Common Cause of Heel Pain(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/injuries/158.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/physical/injuries/158.printerview.html
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Shoulder Instability: When Your Shoulder "Goes Out"(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/injuries/390.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/physical/injuries/390.printerview.html
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Shoulder Pain(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/injuries/268.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/physical/injuries/268.printerview.html
- What Is a Sports Medicine Physician?(American Medical Society for Sports Medicine) - Links to PDF - http://www.newamssm.org/Whatis.pdf
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Tennis Elbow(Patient Education Institute) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/tenniselbow/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/tenniselbowspanish/htm/index.htm
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Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction Surgery(OR-Live) - One hour program - 5/14/2007 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/NLM/rnh.cfm?id=529
- Arthroscopic Surgery to Replace a Young Athlete's ACL(OR-Live) - One hour program - 10/17/2006 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/NLM/rnh.cfm?id=350
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Bankart Repair To Correct Shoulder Instability(OR-Live) - One hour program - 2/21/2008 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/nlm-flash/cak_1838/rnh.cfm?id=699
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If I Had - A Popping Knee(Insidermedicine) - http://insidermedicine.com/archives/If_I_Had_-_A_Popping_Knee_-_Dr_Wiemi_Duouguih_MD_2787.aspx?p=mdlnp
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Knee Pain and the Weekend Warriors(OR-Live) - One hour program - 3/17/2009 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/NLM-Flash/meh_2261/rnh.cfm?id=858
Also available in Spanish http://www.or-live.com/distributors/NLM-Flash/meh_2703/rnh.cfm?id=867
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Rotator Cuff Repair(OR-Live) - One hour program - 6/18/2008 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/nlm-flash/bah_2388/rnh.cfm?id=744
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Athletic Injuries(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Athletic+Injuries%22
- Alternative Warm-Up Program Reduces Risk of ACL Injuries for Female College Soccer Players(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2008/r080725.htm
- Returning Injured Athletes to the Playing Field Too Soon Can Lead to Decreased Performance and Re-Injury(National Athletic Trainers' Association) - http://www.nata.org/newsrelease/archives/000654.htm
- Study Examines Activity Levels of High School Students After Sports-Related Concussions(National Athletic Trainers' Association) - http://www.nata.org/newsrelease/archives/000620.htm
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Radiology corner. Answer to last month's radiology case (#33). Gymnast... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19354105&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Meniscal tears in athletes. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19327258&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Measuring postinjury depression among male and female competitive athletes. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19325188&tool=MedlinePlus
- Sports Injuries -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=athletic+injuries[majr]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Find an Orthopaedist(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://www6.aaos.org/about/public/members.cfm
- Sports Medicine Clinic Directory(McGraw-Hill Companies) - http://www.physsportsmed.com/index.php?page=resource_clinic_directory
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - http://www.aaos.org/
- American College of Sports Medicine - http://www.acsm.org/
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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - http://www.niams.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/
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Athlete's Nightmare: Tearing the ACL - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/summer08/articles/summer08pg24-26.html
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Childhood Sports Injuries and Their Prevention: A Guide for Parents with Ideas for Kids(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Sports_Injuries/child_sports_injuries.asp
- Parents' and Coaches' Guide to Dehydration and Other Heat Illnesses in Children(National Athletic Trainers' Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.nata.org/consumer/docs/parentandcoachesguide.pdf
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Sports Physicals(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/exercise/safety/sports_physicals.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/kid/en_espanol/sano/sports_physicals_esp.html
- What Is a Pediatric Sports Medicine Specialist?(American Academy of Pediatrics) - Links to PDF - http://www.aap.org/family/WhatisPedSportsMed.pdf
- Young Athlete(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00239
- Adolescent Anterior Knee Pain(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00041
- Dealing with Sports Injuries(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/sports/sports_injuries.html
- Dehydration and Youth Sports: Curb the Risk(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/dehydration/SM00037/METHOD=print
- Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/tbi/CGToolKit/A_Fact_Sheet_For_Athletes.htm
- High School Sports Injuries(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00056
- Keep Injured High School Athletes Out of Game(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00048
- Sports Physicals(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/exercise/sports/sports_physicals.html
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Testicular Injuries(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/guys/testicular_injuries.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/sexual/testicular_injuries_esp.html
- Ankle Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ankleinjuriesanddisorders.html
- Elbow Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/elbowinjuriesanddisorders.html
- Foot Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/footinjuriesanddisorders.html
- Hand Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/handinjuriesanddisorders.html
- Knee Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/kneeinjuriesanddisorders.html
- Shoulder Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/shoulderinjuriesanddisorders.html
- Sports Fitness - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sportsfitness.html
- Sprains and Strains - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sprainsandstrains.html
- Fitness and Exercise - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fitnessandexercise.html
- Injuries and Wounds - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/injuriesandwounds.html
- Wellness and Lifestyle - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/wellnessandlifestyle.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Sports Injuries is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - http://www.niams.nih.gov/