As an athlete, you may eventually experience an injury related to your musculoskeletal system. Many of these injuries can heal with proper recovery practices and time, but others might require a visit to an orthopaedic surgeon in order to determine a further course of action. Throughout the course of this article, you will learn a bit about a few of the most common sports-related injuries.

Dislocations

Dislocations occur when a certain amount of force pushes your joint out of alignment, or "out of socket." Dislocations are common among those who practice contact sports, like football and rugby, or are engaged in excessive stretching. A dislocated joint requires immediate medical treatment and can be quite painful. Most dislocated joints are able to easily be put back into place by an emergency room or orthopaedic doctor, but it should be noted that there could be extensive damage caused to the muscle surrounding the bone that will require further care.

Sprains

Sprains are incredibly common injuries that befall athletes and occur when a ligament is overstretched or torn. When it's overstretched, it is usually a quick fix, and although it can be quite painful, it is simply recommended that the persons suffering from the sprain simply keep use of the sprained muscle to a minimum and ice it when necessary. A torn ligament is a bit more severe and will often require that you visit the services of an orthopaedic doctor, who will most likely have you follow up with a physical therapist for recovery sessions.

Fractures

Fractures, like dislocations, are often common among those who play high contact sports but also exist in the world of competitive running and other low impact activities. Repeated stress on the bone can cause a stress fracture, which is something that many runners experience on their feet, and boxers, if they are not careful, can experience stress fractures in their knuckles. Stress fractures are usually not treated as emergencies, but those who suffer from a more severe type of fracture like a spiral fracture, where a spiral pattern occurs in the breakage area, or a compound fracture, where the bone is driven through muscle and flesh, should be taken to the emergency room as soon as possible.

Sports-related injuries range from the benign to the quite serious. If you feel you've been injured while playing sports, consult a doctor right away to ensure it's nothing serious.

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