By Jennifer Cook


Sporting activities are diverse, depending on what tools are used, rules of the game and how much physical movement is involvement. Those in which a lot of body movement is involved tend to put the players at a higher risk of getting injured. Such activities include football, rugby, athletic jumps, boxing and wrestling. Others include swimming, playing hockey and baseball among others. We will look at some of the key concepts on sports medicine Russellville residents may be interested in.

The musculoskeletal system is the backbone of sports medicine. Those who train in this particular field are expected to have knowledge of human anatomy like the back of their hand in order to treat their patients with the precision required. The musculoskeletal system is essentially made up of muscles, bones, joints and the associated soft tissues including ligaments, menisci, tendons, nerves and blood vessels.

Knee injuries are the commonest, particularly in the world of soccer and rugby. These two games involve a lot of running around and one can end up sustaining injuries in the event of slippage or being hit by the opponent. A certain ligament referred to as the anterior cruciate ligament is particularly vulnerable to injury when the knee gets twisted abnormally.

The knee is usually a common target when it comes to physical injuries during sports, particularly activities that involve aggression such as in rugby. Football players may also be injured as they tackle each other in a bid to pass the ball forward. The anterior cruciate ligament, ACL, is one of the soft tissues that routinely comes in the way of harm.

Apart from lower limb injuries, the head is also susceptible to getting physically hurt. A player may be directly hit by an opponent, a tool for play (such as a ball, baseball bat or hockey stick) or may fall down with direct impact to the head. Depending on mode and severity of injury, different structures in the head may be affected.

When the anterior cruciate ligament gets injured, the person may not be able to play in the field anymore. This is because they are at a risk of worsening the tear. In addition, the knee joint loses control and one may not play as is required of them. Furthermore, victims are usually uncomfortable and in excruciating pain. Among the initial things to do is to provide extra support for the knee by applying a splint. If the pain is too much to bear, appropriate pain medication should be administered. Sportsmen whose ligaments get torn are usually required to stay away from the field for a given period of time so that the soft tissues can heal. In selected cases, an operation may be needed.

The importance of wearing protective gear whenever a person engages in sporting activities cannot be overemphasized. This is regardless of whether the activity is a casual one or a competitive one. Injuries do not choose when to happen; they happen anytime, without expectation. As they say, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Rough players can end up hitting their opponents directly on the head. Indirectly, they can cause them to trip and fall with great insult to the head. In addition, if there are tools involved, this could be a cause of injury. Some of the dangerous items include hockey sticks and baseball bats.




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