Preventative Measures To Take Against 3 Common Sports Injuries

If you play sports, then there's a good chance that you might suffer an injury due to the sport that you're playing. This can include everything from tennis elbow to a sprained ankle. Suffering from one of the following injuries can cause you to have to undergo physical therapy or perhaps even have a bone or two repaired. Luckily, there are a few preventative measures you can take. Here are some preventative measures for common sport injuries.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow often accompanies sports where repetitive use of the elbow is involved, such as tennis, of course, but golf is another prime offender. Essentially, tiny tears in the tendons of the elbow occur. This is an injury that becomes much more common as people age, and tends to affect those over the age of 30. The path to prevention is quite easy. You can wear an elbow brace when you play these sports, and if you suspect that the tendon is beginning to tear, it is advised that you stay off the court for a while and perhaps even seek out a physician.

Sprained Ankle

The outside ligaments of an ankle are actually quite weak when compared to other muscles in the same area. In numerous sports, it's easy to turn your ankle inward and damage the outer ligament. In order to keep this from happening, you should always exercise these ligaments so as to improve their strength, as well as their flexibility. Some of these exercises are quite simple. For example, sitting down, place one leg over the other so the leg is lying flat. Then, begin turning your ankle around in a circle. It is also recommended that you visit a sports-related physical therapist. He or she can give you a sizable amount of information about how to go about training and exercising your ankle so as to prevent potential sprains.

Patellofemoral Syndrome

Patellofemoral syndrome is a common injury that occurs in the kneecap. The kneecap is rubbed raw due to constant contact with your thighbone. This essentially damages the cartilage in your knee cap. There are numerous sports which can create or exacerbate this issue, such as volleyball and basketball, but particularly trackrelated activities, such as running and jumping. Work out your quadriceps in order to improve strength, and if you suspect you might be suffering from patellofemoral syndrome, avoid any high impact exercises – such as running – for up to six weeks.