Anybody can develop a soft tissue injury, however, athletes and weekend warriors are at greater risk of developing them. A soft tissue injury is an overstretching or tearing of tissues, such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons, all of which support movement of the bones and joints.
If you have a soft tissue injury, there is usually pain. It can also limit your movement. An active individual limited by an injury cannot perform optimally in their exercise or sport. Soft tissue injuries require a proper treatment protocol to heal.
Below, we discuss the most common soft tissue injuries in sports: strains, sprains, and tears. We also talk about where you can go in North Dakota for individualized treatment for your injury.
What is a Strain?
A strain is an injury caused by the tearing or stretching of a muscle or tendon. This type of injury develops when a muscle is stretched beyond its normal range of motion. Overuse, improper technique, or a sudden force can all lead to a strain.
In sports-specific movements, strains can occur when an athlete is changing direction quickly or jumping. For instance, basketball players are at risk of straining their calf muscle when they jump or pivot, while tennis players can experience a strain in their shoulder or elbow due to the repetitive motions required in their sport.
Poor body mechanics during activities like weightlifting, running, or jumping can increase the risk of strains. The most common locations of sprains are the hamstring muscles, calf muscles, chest and back muscles, and bicep muscles.
What is a Sprain?
A sprain is an injury caused by the tearing or stretching of a ligament from when it is stretched beyond its normal capacity or from a direct blow to the soft tissue. Sports-specific movements that can cause a sprain include sudden stops, twists, or falls. For example, football players are at risk of spraining their ankle when they suddenly change direction, while gymnasts can experience a sprain in their wrist during a sudden fall.
High-impact collisions or direct blows to the body can lead to sprains. Contact sports such as football, hockey, or wrestling carry a higher risk of sprains due to collisions between players. The most common locations for a sprain are the ankle, wrist, and knee.
What is a Tear?
Soft tissues such as the muscles, tendons, ligaments, tendon, and cartilage can completely tear, which is different from microtears that can develop from overstretching. A complete tearing of a soft tissue – an example is the tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee – usually requires surgery to repair. Other examples are rotator cuff tears and Achilles tendon tears.
A sports medicine doctor can examine you and accurately diagnose your soft tissue injury, ensuring you receive the proper treatment.
How to Avoid These Injuries?
While there is no guarantee that you can avoid injuries, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of experiencing soft tissue injuries. Some measures include proper conditioning, performing warm-up exercise, using proper form and technique, and wearing the appropriate athletic shoes and injury prevention devices. A sports medicine doctor can provide personalized recommendations according to your sport.
Athletes should listen to their bodies and take appropriate time to rest and recover from injury or overuse. If you have pain or discomfort, you should not push through it, as this can lead to a more serious injury. If you have symptoms of an injury, seek out the services of a reputable sports medicine doctor.
Sports Medicine Doctor in North Dakota
For the expert treatment of your sports injury, consult with a top sports medicine doctor at The Bone & Joint Center today. Professional and amateur athletes and weekend warriors across North Dakota entrust us with their care. We offer personalized treatment options to help you recover faster from your injury, as well as enhance your athletic performance.
Seeing a sports doctor is the first step towards healing. To make an appointment, call (701) 946-7400 / (866) 900-8650 or use our online request form.
