Bodily injuries while practicing sports are issues that athletes and coaches are familiar with. These conditions can not only be painful for the athlete, but in many cases can disable the entire team. An ousted team member can affect the outcome of games and can have lasting repercussions on the season as well. Similar to the way a team is influenced by a benched member, an injured body part influences the entire body. Injuries such as shin splints, ankle injuries, and twisted knees can be caused by improper form, lack of flexibility, and excessive use of the areas below the knees. As reported by medical physicians at the Cleveland Clinic, most athletes suffer from shin splints at one point or another. Here's how to help them heal and try to avoid this debilitating issue, as well as averting other common sports injuries.

How Sports Can Cause Shin Splints to Occur

Shin splints cause symptoms such as pain running through the front or sides of the calf and shin areas. 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 in the muscles. Regardless of what type of activities, from running to football any athlete can suffer from these conditions. Shin splints treatment should be commenced within minutes to jump-start the tissue repair process. Shin splints treatment started by physical therapists includes rest, elevation, and icing of the affected area for 1 to 2 days. Continued physical therapy and preventive 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

Twisting injuries are also commonly seen in impact-type sports. This is caused by either a blunt-force injury, which cannot be averted, or from weak muscles of the ankle, lower leg, and knee. Weak muscles can be strengthened with weight bearing or movements recommended by a sports therapist that target the muscular areas that support the knees and ankles. Weak muscles lead to tendons and ligaments that cannot hold the bones and muscles together tightly so that simple movements or shifts in position can cause twisting injuries. Another preventive measure for avoiding these types of injuries are to support the arch of the feet with firm arch support. This can be accomplished through sports foot orthotics that support the foot during impact. The medical professionals at the Cleveland Clinic also recommend taping the arch for added foot arch support during sports activities.

Tearing Injuries Commonly Suffered

Tearing of the connective tissues are also widespread types of sports-related injuries. This is most commonly found in the Achilles tendon and anterior cruciate ligament. An Achilles injury is usually due to poor flexibility in the heel tendon due to poor stretching exercises. This is an important step in the warm-up procedure that cannot be overlooked. Gentle stretches without force are suggested 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. ACL (Anterior cruciate ligaments) are surrounding the knee area and help maintain the knee structure together. Injuries to this region can be averted by strengthening the knee , calf and quadriceps through leg extension exercises and curls. Orthotic inserts can help prevent both of these kinds of injuries by providing proper arch support, foot alignment, and cushioning.