Baseball Card Website

Bodily injuries while practicing sports are occurrences that many athletes and coaches are accustomed to. These conditions can not only be painful for the athlete, but in many cases can hurt the entire team. An injured team member can affect the outcome of games and can have lasting repercussions on the season as well. Just as one missing athlete affects a team, a disabled body part affects the entire body. Injuries such as sprained ankles, hyper-extended knees, and shin splints can be caused by bad form, lack of flexible muscle tone, and excessive use of the areas below the knees. According to medical doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, the majority of athletes have to deal with shin splints at some time. Here’s how to prevent and treat these painful conditions, as well as avoiding other recurring sports injuries.

Shin Splints: The Evils of Overuse and Impact on the Lower Leg

There are many symptoms caused by shin splints such as pain running through the front or sides of the calf and shin areas. This pain can be dramatic and excruciating, especially when adding pressure on the affected leg. There can also be swelling in the area that can produce tightness as well as make tissues appear swollen in the muscles. No matter what type of sport, from soccer to baseball any athlete can be afflicted by these conditions. It is critical that treatment for shin splints  be sought immediately so that proper physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs can be started. The most common treatment for shin splints started by physical therapists includes rest, elevation, and icing of the injured area for one to two days. Continuing physical therapy and strengthening exercises include strength training moves and stretching of the Achilles tendon and the group of long muscles that run from the knee to the ankle.

Twisting Injuries: How Weak Muscles Affect the Tendons and Ligaments

Ankle and knee injuries are another kind of sports injury that many athletes suffer from. This is caused by either a blunt-force injury, which cannot be avoided, or from weak muscles of the knee, lower leg, and ankle. Strengthening weak muscles can be accomplished through weight lifting or exercises prescribed by a physical therapist that target the muscular areas that support the knees and ankles. Weakened muscles lead to weakened support structures in the entire lower leg so that simple movements or shifts in position can cause twisting injuries. Another preventive measure for stopping these types of injuries are to be sure the feet have proper arch support.  This can be accomplished with the use of orthotic shoe inserts made especially for athletic activities. The physicians at the Cleveland Clinic also suggest taping the arch for additional arch support during athletic activity.

Tearing Injuries Commonly Suffered

Spraining of the ligaments or tendons are also widespread types of sports-related injuries. This is most commonly found in the Achilles tendon and anterior cruciate ligament. An Achilles injury is generally caused by a lack of flexibility in the heel tendon due to poor stretching form. This is an important step in the stretching process that must be taken seriously. Soft stretches without much force are suggested for athletes prior to activity. Experts in kinesiology advise a half-minute stretch followed by a short rest and then a repeat stretch. ACL (Anterior cruciate ligaments) are found in the knee and help maintain the knee structure together. Injuries to this part of the body can be averted by strengthening the knee , calf muscle and thigh through curls and extensions of the leg. The right foot orthotics  can help prevent both of these kinds of injuries by supplying proper arch support, ideal cushion, and proper foot form.