Sports injuries can affect active people of all ages and fitness levels, from weekend joggers to elite athletes. Whether caused by overuse, poor technique or a sudden accident, these injuries can range from mild sprains to more serious conditions, such as fractures or torn ligaments.
But even severe sports injuries don’t have to result in long-term setbacks. With prompt diagnosis and expert treatment, many people make a full recovery and return to their sport or activity sooner than they expect.
At Ramsay Health Care, we provide specialist care for sports injuries, with personalised treatment and rehabilitation plans designed to help you recover safely and get back to doing what you love.
What are sports injuries?
Playing sports offers many benefits, from better physical health and improved sleep to reduced stress and stronger mental wellbeing. But with any physical activity comes a risk of injury.
A sports injury is any injury that occurs because of exercise or physical activity, whether during a football match, a gym session, a run, or even a hike. These injuries can affect bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues. They can range from mild strains to fractures and dislocations.
Sports injuries can happen suddenly (known as acute injuries) or develop gradually over time due to overuse or repetitive strain (called chronic injuries). Common causes include sudden impacts, poor technique, inadequate warm-up, or using the wrong equipment.
Whatever the cause or severity, timely and effective treatment is essential. It helps ensure a full recovery, reduces the risk of long-term complications, and supports your overall health and return to activity.
Common sports injuries
Sports injuries can vary widely in type, severity, and the part of the body affected – but some are particularly common. Below are some of the most common injuries we treat at Ramsay Health Care:
Sprains
Sprains occur when ligaments (the fibrous tissues that connect bones) are stretched or torn. Sprains are particularly common in the ankles, wrists and knees, where joints and ligaments can be over-extended or twisted. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and limited movement.
Strains
Strains, often referred to as pulled muscles, involve overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons (which connect muscle to bone). Common areas affected include the lower back, hamstrings, and calf muscles.
Fractures
A fracture is a break or cracks in a bone, typically caused by impact or trauma. Fractures can range from small stress fractures to complete breaks that may require surgical intervention.
Dislocations
Dislocations happen when a bone is forced out of its normal position in a joint. The shoulder, fingers, and knees are most often affected. Prompt medical attention is needed to safely reposition the joint and prevent long-term damage.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon, often due to overuse or repetitive movement. It most commonly affects the shoulders, elbows (e.g. tennis elbow), and knees, causing pain and reduced function.
Shin splints
Shin splints involve pain and inflammation in the tissues around the shinbone (tibia), typically due to overuse, poor biomechanics (e.g. flat feet), or unsuitable footwear.
Plantar fasciitis
This is inflammation of the plantar fascia - the ligament that stretches from your heel to your toes and supports the arch of your foot. It causes heel pain, especially during walking or after periods of rest.
Concussion
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move suddenly. Symptoms can include headache, dizziness, confusion, sensitivity to light, and temporary memory loss.
Hernia
A hernia happens when an internal organ, often part of the intestine, pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Sports hernias can be caused by intense physical exertion and usually require surgical repair.
Rotator cuff injuries
These affect the muscles and tendons that stabilise the shoulder. Common in sports involving overhead motion (e.g. tennis, swimming, or throwing), injuries can include inflammation, strains, or tears.
Torn meniscus
The meniscus is a piece of cartilage in the knee that acts as a shock absorber. A tear can result from twisting or impact. A torn meniscus may cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty bending the knee.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries
ACL injuries are serious knee injuries involving a tear or sprain of the ligament that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. Common in sports that involve sudden stops, jumps, or changes in direction (e.g. football, skiing), ACL injuries often require surgery and long-term rehabilitation.
Which body parts are most likely to get injured in sports?
Certain areas of the body are more prone to injury due to the physical demands of sports and the stresses placed on them during activity. The most commonly affected areas include:
- Ankles: These joints bear the body’s weight and are highly susceptible to sprains caused by twisting or sudden changes in direction.
- Knees: The knee joint is susceptible to ligament injuries, such as ACL tears, especially in sports that involve jumping, pivoting, or abrupt stops.
- Shoulders: Overhead and throwing movements can lead to injuries like rotator cuff tears, dislocations, and tendonitis.
- Wrists: Falls onto outstretched hands often result in wrist injuries, particularly in sports like snowboarding, gymnastics, and skating.
- Leg muscles: The hamstrings, calves, and quadriceps are commonly strained during explosive movements such as sprinting, kicking, or jumping.
- Head: Contact sports can increase the risk of concussion or other head injuries, often caused by collisions or falls.
Symptoms of sports injuries
The symptoms of a sports injury will vary depending on the type, location, and severity of the injury. However, some signs are more common and may include:
- Pain or tenderness: Usually localised to the affected area and often worsens with movement or pressure
- Swelling: May indicate inflammation or internal bleeding around the joint or soft tissue
- Bruising: Caused by damage to small blood vessels beneath the skin
- Limited range of motion: Difficulty moving the affected limb or joint normally
- Weakness or instability: Particularly common in joint injuries such as sprains or dislocations
- Visible deformity: May occur with fractures or dislocations, where a bone joint is out of place
- Numbness or tingling: This could suggest nerve involvement or compression
- Headache, dizziness, or confusion: Key warning signs of concussion or head trauma
Even if symptoms are mild at first, it’s important to seek professional assessment and treatment. Left untreated, sports injuries can worsen over time and increase your risk of long-term complications. A timely diagnosis of the first step toward a safe and effective recovery.
Causes of sports injuries
Sports injuries can result from a range of factors, often involving a combination of physical stress, technique, and environmental conditions. Common causes include:
- Sudden collisions or falls: Unexpected impacts, twists, over-extensions, or awkward landings can lead to fractures, sprains, or dislocations.
- Overuse: Repeated stress on muscles, tendons, or joints without adequate rest can lead to chronic injuries like tendonitis or stress fractures
- Poor technique: Incorrect form or movement patterns (such as an uneven gait while running) can place strain on the body and increase injury risk
- Inadequate warm-up: Failure to properly prepare muscles and joints can increase the risk of injury.
- Improper equipment: Using unsuitable or ill-fitting gear, particularly footwear, can compromise performance and lead to injury.
- Fatigue: Tired muscles offer less support to joints, increasing the likelihood of strains or instability.
- Rapid increase in activity: A sudden increase in intensity, duration, or frequency of exercise can overwhelm the body’s ability to adapt.
In many cases, injuries occur due to a combination of these factors. Understanding the causes can help reduce the risk of injury and support long-term performance and health.
Risk factors for sports injuries
While sports injuries can happen to anyone physically active, certain factors can increase the likelihood of getting injured. These include:
- Age: Children may be more susceptible to certain injuries due to growing bones and developing coordination. As adults age, tissues become less flexible and more prone to strain or damage.
- Previous injury: a history of injury in a particular area can weaken the tissue and increase the risk of re-injury.
- Low fitness level: Weak or inflexible muscles can reduce your body’s ability to cope with the demands of sport.
- Lack of proper training: Not learning correct techniques or failing to build fitness gradually can lead to poor movement patterns and increase injury risk.
- Inappropriate footwear or equipment: Ill-fitting shoes or unsuitable gear may reduce support or protection and contribute to injury.
- Competitive pressure: Athletes, both professional and amateur, may push themselves beyond their physical limits in pursuit of performance or success.
- Environmental conditions: Hazards such as wet or uneven surfaces, poor lighting, or extreme temperatures can increase the risk of accidents.
Sports injury treatment
Treatment for a sports injury will depend on the location, severity, and the overall health of the individual. While many minor injuries can be managed at home, more serious conditions may require specialist medical care or surgery.
Sports injury treatments may include:
Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE)
For mild sports injuries, such as minor sprains, strains, or bruises, the RICE method is often recommended as an initial treatment:
- Rest: Rest up and avoid activities that may aggravate the injury
- Ice: Apply ice packs to reduce swelling and relieve pain
- Compression: Use an elastic bandage or compression wrap to control swelling
- Elevation: Raise the injured area above heart level to help minimise swelling
RICE is most effective within the first 24 to 72 hours following an injury and can help promote faster recovery.
Over-the-counter pain relief
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can help reduce pain and inflammation in mild to moderate sports injuries. They are often used alongside other treatments.
Bracing or splinting
More significant soft tissue injuries, such as moderate sprains or minor fractures, may benefit from a brace, splint, or support to immobilise the area. These devices protect the injury and help prevent further damage while healing takes place.
Prescription medications
For more severe pain or inflammation, your doctor may prescribe stronger medications, such as prescription-strength NSAIDs or muscle relaxants, as part of a broader treatment plan.
Corticosteroid injections
Corticosteroid injections may be recommended to treat persistent inflammation and pain, particularly in conditions such as tendonitis or bursitis. These injections are typically considered when other treatments haven’t provided sufficient relief.
Shockwave therapy
Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical treatment that uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate healing in injured tissues. It’s commonly used for chronic soft tissue injuries, promoting blood vessel regeneration and providing pain relief.
Surgical interventions
In more severe cases, surgery may be required, particularly for:
- Complex fractures
- Complete ligament tears (such as an ACL rupture)
- Serious joint dislocations
- Joint degeneration requiring replacement
Common surgical procedures include:
Surgical recovery is typically followed by a personalised rehabilitation programme to help restore full movement and strength.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in recovering from sports injuries, whether post-surgery or for non-surgical treatment. Programmes may include:
- Targeted exercises: To build strength, flexibility, and balance
- Manual therapy: Such as massage or joint mobilisation to help with recovery
- Electrotherapy: Using electrical stimulation to promote tissue healing
- Gradual return-to-sport programmes: A guided approach to returning to sports to ensure a safe recovery
A tailored physiotherapy programme can make a significant difference in restoring confidence, mobility, and long-term performance.
How are sports injuries diagnosed?
Diagnosing a sports injury typically involves a combination of physical examination, patient consultation, and diagnostic imaging. This helps healthcare professionals accurately determine the nature and extent of the injury and create an effective treatment plan.
-
Physical assessment – The injured area will be examined for swelling, tenderness, deformity, and range of motion. Functional tests may also be performed to assess mobility and strength.
-
Patient consultation – The clinician will ask how the injury occurred and explore the nature, onset, and severity of your symptoms.
-
Medical history – Understanding your overall health, activity level, and any history of previous injuries provides important context for diagnosis.
-
X-rays – Used to detect bone injuries such as fractures or dislocations.
-
MRI scans – Provide detailed images of soft tissues, including muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons.
-
Ultrasound – Often used to assess real-time damage to muscles and tendons.
-
CT scans – May be used for more complex bone or joint injuries where detailed cross-sectional images are required.
A precise diagnosis is the essential first step toward a safe and successful recovery, helping to guide the right treatment plan and prevent future complications.
Sports injury prevention
Whether you play sports competitively, for general fitness, or purely for enjoyment, there are proactive steps you can take to reduce your risk of injury. Integrating these practices into your exercise routine can help keep you active and injury-free:
Use the correct equipment and footwear
Use properly fitted protective gear such as helmets, pads, footwear, eyewear, and gloves relevant to your sport. Supportive and well-fitted footwear is particularly important to prevent both sudden injuries and long-term strain, especially in high-impact or repetitive activities.
Warm up and stretch before exercise
Prepare your body by doing a 10–15-minute warm-up that includes light aerobic activity and dynamic stretching. Warming up increases blood flow to your muscles, making them more flexible and less prone to injury.
Practice good technique
Whether you're serving in tennis or lifting weights, using the correct technique helps reduce strain on joints, muscles, and tendons. If you’re unsure, consider instruction from a qualified coach or trainer.
Avoid playing when tired or in pain
Fatigue can impair coordination and increase your risk of accidents, while pain can be a sign of an existing injury. Continuing to train through pain may cause further damage and prolong recovery time.
Build up gradually
Sudden increases in training intensity, duration, or frequency are a common cause of sports injuries. Progress your activity levels steadily to allow your body to adapt safely.
Include rest days
Recovery is just as important as training. Regular rest days give your muscles and joints time to repair, helping to prevent overuse injuries and reduce mental and physical burnout.
Why choose to treat your sports injury privately?
The major advantage of seeing a sports injury specialist privately is that you’ll benefit from fast access to an expert diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan. With private care, you can recover quickly and effectively and get back to playing the sports you love as soon as possible.
Your appointments and treatments with Ramsay Health Care will be arranged at times to suit you without any unnecessary delays. You’ll be treated by an experienced orthopaedic surgeon with a special interest in sports injuries, who’ll be able to discuss your individual needs and plan your treatment pathway with the appropriate professionals, including our expert physiotherapists.
Contact us to find out more about sports injury treatment with Ramsay Health Care.
