If there’s one thing most sportspersons dread, apart from poor performance, it’s injury. And whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, you’ve probably had your share of tumbles. According to experts, most avoidable sports-related injuries are caused by unsafe exercising environments or incorrect training methods, and these injuries are of two types — acute and chronic. Acute injuries occur suddenly during a physical activity and cause trauma such as a pulled back muscle, torn knee ligament, or bruised joints. On the other hand, chronic injuries result from overusing a body part when playing a sport or exercising for long periods of time.
Besides discomfort and pain, trauma to injury-prone areas can also cost a player dearly — both professionally and financially. Take Kedar Jadhav, for instance. This all-rounder was ruled out of the IPL playoffs this year, and his participation in the upcoming cricket World Cup remains uncertain. In addition to such career setbacks, the expenses incurred in treating sports injuries are quite high as compared to preventive measures. For example, in Australia, the cost of sports injury rehabilitation is about $2 billion a year and in the US it’s over $20 billion. In fact, a recent Research And Markets report suggests that the global sports medicine market will reach $9.25 billion by 2026.
Most Commonly Occurring Sports Injuries Star hockey player Rani Rampal missed this year’s bilateral series with Malaysia due to a shoulder injury. Similarly, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, a young badminton ace, had to watch the All-England Championship from the sidelines. Injuries aren’t only restricted to star athletes though — they’re a major cause for worry for anyone who is involved in any kind of sport — be it at the international or gully level! A sprained ankle here, a dislocation there, and your dreams of acing that 10K or winning the school relay can come to a stop before the finish line. Here are some common injuries and vulnerabilities one should watch out for:Ankle
Most ankle injuries include sprains, strains, and fractures. One wrong step on an uneven surface can lead to a painful ankle sprain. This joint is particularly susceptible to trauma and it might be a good idea to strengthen the area with the correct stretches and exercises.
KneeThe knee is a complex joint with multiple parts, and is prone to a variety of injuries — dislocation and fractures being the most frequent. Tendon tears and collateral ligament injuries are common too, and even world-class sports persons are often seen limping off the field due to the same.
Back
Did you know that about 20% of all injuries in sports involve the lower back or neck? Most of these are either sprain of the ligaments or strains of the muscle — and their primary cause is the overuse of certain structures of the spine.
Shoulder
Maria Sharapova returned to win a Grand Slam after a corrective surgery of her torn shoulder muscle. Many baseball pitchers and volleyball players have suffered throw injuries due to repetitive overhand motions. This is because the shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, and also the most vulnerable. Rotator cuff injury, dislocations, and tears are the most common forms of shoulder injuries in sports.
Elbow and Wrist About 25% of all sports-related injuries involve the hand or wrist. As sauve as it sounds, Tennis Elbow is really the worst kind of pain a sports person can suffer from. Golfer’s Elbow, on the other hand, is an injury that affects the tendon on the inner side of the elbow. Usually, stick-and-ball sports and full-contact sports have high rates of hand/wrist injuries that include sprains, fractures and contusions. It is no surprise then, that elbow and wrist injuries are estimated to grow at a rate of 7.62% from 2019 to 2026.
Sports injuries can be a cause of serious concern and often restrict movement — and what can be more disappointing for a sports ninja than staying in bed with a sprain or a tear? There’s good news though — thanks to breakthroughs in medical devices and solutions, athletes can continue playing by wearing various kinds of braces that support the injured area.Treating and Preventing Sports Injuries — Role of Braces in Prevention and Therapeutic Rehabilitation
Among the many benefits of wearing braces, the primary ones are support and stability to the injured body part alongside pain relief. For example, a knee brace provides essential support in side-to-side movement of the knee. For all you know, your favorite NBA players are perhaps wearing ankle braces to prevent injury or to support weak ankles. Elbow braces are often used by tennis players and golfers as they support the joints and reduce the strain. In case of back injuries, braces immobilize injured areas and aid in faster recovery. Back braces also improve posture and elongate the spine. Many sports physicians and therapists vouch for the effectiveness of braces in assisting in therapeutic rehabilitation. When used in criminal trials, the postoperative phase, braces stabilize areas of weakness and alleviate back pain.
Choosing the Right Type of Braces and Supports isn’t Child’s Play
Let’s face it. Sports (or any kind of athletic activity) can be a bit of a double-edged sword. While it’s great for both physical and mental health, it also increases the risk of injury. Thankfully, there are a number of sports orthotics designed specifically to help an injured athlete bounce back or prevent injury altogether. For example, sports coaches often recommend knee caps that supports and provides stability to the knee. Vissco’s Pro 3D knee cap provides compression and warmth to the knee, thanks to its soft fabric and ergonomic fit. On the other hand, Vissco’s Pro 2D ankle support is designed to smoothly blend in with whatever you wear on a daily basis — making it both stylish and medically effective!
Are you a professional athlete or fitness conscious person looking for the right kind of support to be used during physical activity? Explore a wide range of ergonomically designed and effective aids that will take you from pain to peak performance.