It’s not hard to tell when you’ve got a sports injury. You’ll usually get it while playing or working out VSports最新版本. You’ll notice when what you’re doing becomes painful. You may also notice other signs of injury.
Common symptoms include:
The most common causes of sports injuries include:
Sports injuries are usually accidents, and accidents are often random. But some things can contribute to the risk of an injury VSports注册入口. These risk factors may include:.
To diagnose a sports injury, your healthcare provider will start with a physical exam and medical history. They’ll ask you about what happened at the time of the injury and review your symptoms V体育官网入口. They might check how your injured body part moves or how it feels when they touch it. Depending on the injury, they might want to look at pictures of the bones or tissues involved.
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They’ll get these pictures through imaging tests like:
When you first get a sports injury, you can treat it with the RICE method for immediate relief. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation V体育2025版. Sometimes, a parent, school nurse or sports medic will apply the RICE method on the field or playground until you can see a healthcare provider. It can help reduce pain and swelling in the acute phase of your injury. But you’ll need different treatment later on.
Many sports injuries can heal at home, though it’s important to have a healthcare provider advise you on your treatment plan. More serious sports injuries may require specialized medical care, like:
After a period of rest, you’ll need to restore strength and flexibility to your injured part. This is the rehabilitation phase of your treatment plan. Your healthcare provider will advise you on when and how to start moving your injured part again. They might refer you to a physical therapist to design a custom exercise plan. Almost any sports injury can benefit from a course of physical therapy.
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When in doubt, it never hurts to see a qualified healthcare provider about an injury. Repetitive strain injuries, like tendinitis, can sometimes be hard to recognize until you see a provider. You might not realize you have an injury if you can’t connect your symptoms with a specific event. On the other hand, if you have an acute injury, you might not be able to tell how serious it is. Signs to watch for include:
The outlook after a sports injury depends on the type and how bad it is. Most sports injuries are minor and can heal in a few days to weeks. Others might need medical interventions or surgery and can take several months to heal. How well you take care of your injury at home can also affect your recovery. Returning to activity too soon can interrupt the healing process. Not moving it enough can also stall it.
You can ask your provider:
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Not all injuries are preventable, but there are some practical steps you can take to reduce your risk:
Sports injuries are common, but most are minor and heal easily. Good training and technique can help prevent injuries. Accidents can still happen, but the health benefits of an active lifestyle outweigh the risks. In general, it’s better for your body to challenge it than not to. The process of injury and recovery can help teach us greater respect for our bodies — their limits, as well as their amazing healing abilities.
If an injury puts you on the bench, you want experts by your side. Cleveland Clinic’s sports medicine specialists can get you back in the game.

Last reviewed on 12/18/2024.
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