Extreme sports consists of some of the most thrilling and life-threatening activities there are. They all have a high risk of common sports injuries by either involving extreme speeds, heights, stunts, and even death. That is also one of the reasons why these adrenaline junkies enjoy participating in such sports and activities. More and more people have attracted to exceptional sports due to exposure and competitions. There are many different types of extreme sports, including:
- Surfing
- Parachuting
- Skateboarding
- Bungee Jumping
- Snowboarding
- BMX Racing
- Cave Diving
- Parkour
Injuries associated with extreme sports can be crucial. You can compare traditional sports and intense ones with their shared pattern in athlete injury. Some of the most dangerous sports and activities desired and even suggested by others. They are all different though when it comes to risk ratios. There are patterns for these injuries and the two types include injury caused by inexperienced athletes and those who are professional extremists.
Table of Contents
Let’s explore the top 10 most common sports injuries till date;
1. Broken Bones/Sprains
Broken bones are prominent injuries in almost every extreme sports there is, from skateboarding to BMX racing. These incidents usually happen when an athlete falls or tries to break their fall. Bone breaks and sprains of the limbs can be extremely painful and take extended periods of time to recover. Sometimes athletes thrown out from their vehicle and that results in broken bones. Some cases cause damage to the fragile ribs easily.
2. Head/Brain
The most life-threatening injury that can happen during an ultimate sport is a head or brain injury. These injury types can have major effects on your health and daily lives. Head trauma usually caused by impact and can result in long term issues. Any trauma to the brain is prominent in sports dealing with speed and risks of impact. Some traditional sports have criticized for causing life threatening concussions and brain damage due to constant heavy impact.
There are many different types of brain and head injuries, which include:
- Hematoma
- Concussion
- Hemorrhage
- Skull fracture
- Edema
- Brain Contusion
Extreme sports lead when it comes to the amount of head injuries that take place. Due to the risks associated with these sports, the probability of getting hurt increases. The severity of the injury increases as well. There are times when people suffer from head injuries due to accidents and may need legal assistance. There are times when waivers have to be signed and fault is on the athlete only.
3. Shoulder
Shoulder injuries can be both painful and limiting, often affecting our ability to perform everyday tasks. Whether it’s from sports, work, or just a sudden mishap, the shoulder is prone to a variety of injuries that can seriously affect mobility.
Rotator Cuff Injury
These are the most common shoulder injuries. The rotator cuff, which is made up of four muscles and tendons, is responsible for stabilizing the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff injuries occur when the tendons or bursae near the joint become inflamed, usually from overuse or a sudden injury. These are common among people with jobs that involve frequent overhead motions, like painters, or athletes who often reach upward, such as tennis players and swimmers.
Impingement
This condition occurs when the top of the shoulder blade exerts pressure on the soft tissues beneath it when the arm is raised. This can lead to tendinitis or bursitis, which restrict movement and cause pain. Repeated overhead movements, like those used by swimmers, can significantly increase the risk of developing impingement.
Instability
Shoulder instability happens when the round end of the upper arm bone is forced out of its shallow socket, either partially or completely. Once the tendons, ligaments, and muscles of the shoulder become stretched or torn, the shoulder becomes “loose” and dislocations can occur repeatedly.
4. Elbow
The elbow might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to injuries. But it plays a key role in many of our daily activities. The elbow is susceptible to strains and sprains that can cause discomfort and limit arm movement.
Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Playing tennis or other racket sports can cause the tendons in the elbow to develop small tears and become inflamed, leading to pain on the outside of the elbow. This condition is also common among painters, plumbers, carpenters, and others who use their forearms repetitively, putting them at higher risk of developing tennis elbow.
Golfer’s Elbow (medial epicondylitis)
This form of tendinitis causes pain in the inner part of the elbow, which can spread to the forearm and wrist. Golfers and others who frequently use their wrists or clench their fingers can develop this condition.
Little League Elbow
This injury involves the growth plate of the elbow and is caused by repetitive throwing in youths. It’s most common in pitchers, but any young athlete who repeatedly throws can develop it. The pain is typically located in the inner part of the elbow.
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury
Repeated throwing can cause tears in the ulnar collateral ligament located on the inner part of the elbow, leading to pain and reduced effectiveness in throwing.
5. Spinal
Spinal injuries aren’t as prominent in sports as lacerations or broken bones are, but they can be either life-threatening or life-changing. These types of injuries occur in the spinal are including various parts like nerves and spinal discs. They can be extremely serious and can change the way you walk and move. You may have knowledge on herniated discs and how they affect victims of car accidents. These happen in intense sports, especially ones dealing with speed and mobility like motocross racing or boarding.
Causes of spinal issues are usually due to job related factors, assault, or sports injuries. They can be accompanied by other injury types like head and neck injuries. The risk of further health issues and the possibility of long-term problems, whether it is mentally, physically or financially.
6. Knee
Knee injuries are a common issue for both athletes and non-athletes alike. Whether you’re running, jumping, or just taking a wrong step, the knee is a complex joint. It can easily be injured, leading to significant pain and instability.
Runner’s Knee
Also known as jumper’s knee or patellofemoral pain syndrome, this condition causes pain or tenderness close to or beneath the kneecap (patella) at the front of the knee. While it’s common among runners, people who are active in other ways, such as hikers or cyclists, can also experience runner’s knee.
Fracture
Fractures can occur in any bone around the knee, but the most common is in the kneecap (patella). These typically result from a significant fall or a direct blow to the knee.
Dislocation
A strong impact to the knee can cause the kneecap to be forced out of the groove in the thigh bone (femur) and pushed out of alignment, causing the kneecap to slip out of position.
Torn Ligament
When the knee is over-extended or twisted, the ligaments within it can tear. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are especially common in athletes, often occurring when a person suddenly changes direction or lands from a jump.
Meniscal Tear
The meniscal cartilage acts as a shock absorber in the knee. An awkward twist or pivot can cause a tear in this cartilage. Meniscal tears often happen alongside knee sprains or complete tears of the knee ligaments.
Tendon Tear
Tendon tears are more common in middle-aged people who play sports that involve running and jumping. They often occur due to a forceful landing or, sometimes, from an awkward jump.
7. Lacerations
One of the most popular injuries in exceptional sports is lacerations. These types of injuries are the most common in surfing, though. This is because there are many different types of sharp objects in the water including animals. Those who are in the water are at a higher risk of getting injured by an animal, like a shark bite or jellyfish sting.
Lacerations occur when there are possible sharp objects around. When racing it can be a prominent injury as well, through collision accidents or vehicle issues. It can happen as a result of fall or trying to break a fall also. Though lacerations may seem small compared to other common sports injuries, but it should be taken just as serious. Wounds can lead to other health issues if not cared for properly, including infection.
8. Leg
Our legs carry us through our daily lives so when they’re injured, it can be incredibly frustrating. Leg injuries are common in sports and can happen to anyone who’s active.
Groin Pull
Quick side-to-side motions can strain the muscles of the inner thighs, leading to a groin pull. People who play sports such as hockey, soccer, football, and baseball are at a higher risk for groin pulls.
Hamstring Strain
Three muscles run along the back of the thigh and make up the hamstring. Activities that involve lots of running, jumping, and sudden starts and stops can lead to a hamstring strain. Basketball, football, and soccer players often experience hamstring strains.
Shin Splints
Shin splints refers to the pain caused by inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue along the inner length of the shinbone (tibia), the large bone in the front of the lower leg. The pain is usually felt on the inner side of the lower leg. Shin splints are mostly seen in runners, particularly those who are just starting a running program.
9. Neck
There is high demand of movement required to participate in extreme sports. This can lead to a higher probability of common sports injuries. These are just as popular among intense sports. There are multiple parts of your neck that could be harmed during an accident. Any kind of muscle strain or tension can cause the neck to ache and become stiff. Sometimes these injuries are due to overuse and sometimes they are the result of an accidental event.
Whiplash is a common form of neck injury and is prominent in car accidents. Usually when this happens the soft tissue in the neck gets injury. You can also call these issues sprains as well. Treatments are dependent on the cause of the common sports injuries because sometimes surgery may be necessary and sometimes only physical therapy needed.
10. Ankle
Ankle injuries can be sudden and unexpected but they’re all too common in sports. Whether it’s a sprain or tendinitis, ankle injuries can keep you off your feet and make even walking a challenge.
Ankle Sprain
Ankle sprains can happen when you roll, twist, or turn your ankle in an awkward way, stretching or tearing the ligaments in the joint. This can occur when landing awkwardly from a jump or pivot, walking on an uneven surface, or when someone else lands on your foot. Athletes who play sports that involve a lot of pivoting, such as volleyball and basketball, are at risk for an ankle sprain. Also, gymnasts common injuries stats reveals that they mostly get ankle injuries by practicing a variety of different techniques.
Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendon injuries result from a stretch, tear, or irritation of the tendon connecting the calf muscle to the back of the heel. The Achilles tendon, the largest tendon in the body, is used when walking, running, climbing stairs, jumping, and standing on tiptoes. People with Achilles tendinitis usually feel pain and stiffness at the back of the heel, especially in the morning. Achilles tendinitis is typically a chronic condition caused by overuse, but in serious cases, it can lead to a tear that may require surgery.
Who’s Likely to Get Sports Injuries?
Anyone can get a sports injury but certain factors can make you more likely to get hurt.
Some of the main risk factors for sports injuries include:
- Using improper exercise techniques.
- Running or jumping on hard surfaces that don’t absorb shock well.
- Wearing shoes that lack proper support.
- Failing to wear the right protective gear.
- Overtraining which could mean training too often or for too long.
- Increasing the intensity of physical activity too quickly.
- Playing the same sport all year round without breaks.
- Having a history of previous injuries.
- Possessing specific anatomical traits that affect joints or having poor flexibility.
- Taking certain medications, like fluoroquinolones, a type of antibiotic that’s been linked to tendinitis and tendon ruptures.
Signs and Symptoms of Sports Impairments
The symptoms you experience from a sports injury can vary depending on the type of injury. Symptoms of an acute injury might include:
- Sudden, intense pain.
- Severe swelling or bruising.
- Inability to put weight on a leg, knee, ankle, or foot.
- Inability to move a joint normally.
- Significant weakness in an injured limb.
- A bone or joint that appears visibly out of place.
- Pain when you’re playing or exercising.
- Swelling and a persistent dull ache when you’re resting.
Take Away
Sports injuries can happen to anyone, but understanding the risks and taking proper precautions can help you avoid them. Yet, there are many ways to reduce your chances of getting hurt. Remember that paying attention to your body’s signals and addressing minor issues before they become major injuries is key. And if you do experience a sports injury, it’s important to get proper treatment. Prevention is always better then cure, but knowing how to deal with injuries when they happen is just as important.
Featured Image Courtesy by Flickr
