Sports injuries are issues that many athletes and coaches are accustomed to. These injuries can not only be painful for the athlete, but in many cases can hurt the entire team. An injured team member can cause setbacks in game performance and can have enduring repercussions on the season as well. Like a team is affected by a missing member, an injured body part affects the entire body. Injuries such as weak knee injuries, shin plints, and twisted ankles can be caused by improper form, lack of stretching, and excessive use of the lower body. According to medical physicians at the Cleveland Clinic, the majority of athletes suffer from shin splints at one point or another. Here's how to avoid and heal these painful problems, as well as preventing other frequent sports injuries.

The Mechanics of Shin Splints

There are many symptoms caused by shin splints 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. Increased swollen muscle tissue can make the leg feel taut as well as make tissues appear swollen around the muscles. Regardless of what type of activity, from cross country to basketball any athlete can suffer from these conditions. Treatment for shin splints should be started right away to begin the healing process immediately. Shin pain relief guidelines followed by sports therapists includes rest, elevation, and icing of the painful area for one to two days. Continued physical therapy and preventative exercises include lower leg weight bearing moves and stretching of the Achilles tendon and the front leg muscles that surround the shin bone.

Twisting Injuries: How Weak Muscles Affect the Tendons and Ligaments

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 averted, or from weak muscles of the knee, lower leg, and ankle. Weakened muscles can be remedied with lifting weights or sports therapy-approved exercises that target the lower leg. Damaged muscles lead to loosened joints in the ankles and knees so that simple movements or athletic activities can cause twisting injuries. Another preventive measure for preventing these types of injuries are to provide the feet with the ideal amount of arch support. This can be accomplished specially-designed orthotic shoe inserts made for sports activities. The physicians at the Cleveland Clinic also suggest taping the arch for added arch support during sports activities.

How Tearing Injuries Happen

Rupturing of the connecting structures of the lower leg are also typical kinds of sports injuries. This is most commonly found in the connecting structures of the knees and back of the heels. An Achilles injury is commonly caused by little flexibility in the heel tendon due to poor stretching exercises. This is an important step in the warmup process that should never be skipped. Gentle stretches without pulsing are recommended for all sports participants. Holding the stretch for a minimum of 30 seconds, resting for a few moments, then repeating the stretch is what kinesiology specialists suggest. Anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) are located in the knee and help hold the knee structure together. Injuries to this area can be averted by strength training the knee , calf and quadriceps through curls and extensions of the leg. Orthotics can help prevent both of these type of injuries by giving proper arch support, foot alignment, and cushioning.