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Bodily injuries while practicing sports are occurrences that the majority of athletes and coaches are accustomed to. These conditions can cause physical pain to the athlete, but in many cases can disable the entire team. A disabled team member can hurt the outcome of games and can have enduring repercussions on the season as well. Like a team is affected by a missing member, an injured body part influences the entire body. Injuries such as shin splints, ankle injuries, and twisted knees can be caused by poor form, lack of flexibility, and too much use of the areas below the knees. According to medical doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, almost every athlete develop shin splints sometime during their career. Here are ways to prevent and treat these painful conditions, as well as preventing other frequent sports injuries.

How Sports Can Cause Shin Splints to Occur

Shin splints cause symptoms such as pain in the front or side areas of the lower leg. The pain can be constant and debilitating, especially when increasing pressure on the affected leg. Swelling in the area can make the leg feel tight as well as produce visible inflammation and tenderness in the muscles. Regardless of what type of activity, from soccer to baseball any athlete can be affected by these conditions. It is essential that shin splints treatment  be commenced within minutes to jump-start the tissue repair process. The most common shin splints treatment recommended by sports injury specialists includes rest, elevation, and icing of the painful area for 1 to 2 days. Ongoing physical therapy and preventative exercises include strength training moves and stretching of the Achilles tendon and the front leg muscles that surround the shin bone.

Ankle and Knee Injuries Can Bring You to a Halt

Another type of injury that is seen in impact sports is twisting of the ankle and knee. This is caused by either a blunt-force injury, which cannot be avoided, or from weak muscles of the ankle, lower leg, and knee. Weak muscles can be strengthened with weight bearing or movements recommended by a sports therapist that target the lower leg. Damaged muscles lead to weakened support structures in the entire lower leg so that simple movements or motions 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 through sports foot orthotics that support the foot during impact. The doctors at the Cleveland Clinic also advise taping the arch for added foot arch support during games.

How Tearing Injuries Happen

Spraining of the connecting structures of the lower leg are also widespread types of sports-related injuries. This is most commonly found in the tendon in the back of the heel and the knee ligament. An Achilles injury is usually due to poor flexibility in the heel tendon due to poor stretching form. This is a crucial stage in the preparation procedure that must be taken seriously. Mild stretches without much force are recommended for anyone about to exercise. Kinesiologists recommend a 30 second stretch, releasing for a few seconds, and then repeating the stretch. ACL (Anterior cruciate ligaments) are located in the knee and help maintain the knee structure together. Injuries to this area can be averted by strength training the knee , calf muscle and thigh through leg extension exercises and curls. The right foot orthotics  can help prevent both of these types of injuries by giving proper arch support, ideal cushion, and proper foot form.