The point on the most frequent sports-related pathologies and their manifestations.

The point on the most frequent sports-related pathologies and their manifestations The point on the most frequent sports-related pathologies and their manifestations

Index

  • The main pathologies due to sport and their respective characteristics
    1. Muscle injuries
    2. Ligament injuries
    3. The joint injury
    4. Bone damage

The main pathologies due to sport and their respective characteristics

It is more common to hear that playing sports is good for your health. Very little is known about the fact that sport can also be, to some degree, harmful to your health. Sports-related illnesses are illnesses related to the practice of a sport. A person who frequently practises sport can be affected by one or more of these pathologies during his or her lifetime. These conditions can occur regardless of the age of the person and the type of sport practised. Their consequences on health may be insignificant, but also very serious depending on the pathology.

Muscle injuries

Muscles are undoubtedly the organs that are most solicited during physical activity. It is not surprising that muscle injuries are the most common among sportsmen and women.

  • Muscle cramps: a cramp is an involuntary and temporary contraction of one or more muscles. This contraction is accompanied by more or less intense pain and can occur during or after the practice of a sport. It is often a sign of fatigue and lack of oxygen in the muscles. It is advisable to warm up and drink enough water to prevent cramping.
  • Aches and pains: unlike cramp, aches and pains are not temporary and may persist for a few days. It manifests itself by the appearance of muscular pain following a very intense physical It is essentially caused by the presence of toxic substances in the muscles. You should measure your physical efforts and drink enough water to avoid this pathology.
  • Muscle sprain: also called muscle elongation, muscle sprain is a traumatic elongation of the muscle. It occurs as a result of excessive strain on the elastic capacities of the muscles. Extreme elongation of the muscle can also lead to a muscle tear. The rear part of the thigh muscles is most exposed to muscle strain during physical exertion such as sprinting or A sprain will heal itself after about 15 days of rest, but it is always recommended to consult a doctor to identify any associated risks.
  • Muscle contusion: it appears most often in athletes practicing contact sports. Indeed, the contusion follows a blow received on a muscle in It is manifested by localized pain in the part that received the blow, but also by the appearance of a bruise and swelling. The pain felt and the duration of healing depends on the intensity of the shock received.

Ligament injuries

Ligaments are very strong tissues connecting one bone to another. As common as muscle injuries, athletes are also exposed to ligament injuries.

  • Tendinitis: this is an inflammation of a tendon due to a movement that is too The pain generally disappears after a prolonged stop of the sport involved.
  • The sprain: It is due to a violent stretching of the ligament tissue. It most often occurs in the knees and ankles and causes the victim intense pain and swelling in the affected area. Football players are most often affected by this type of pathology, as this sport puts a great deal of strain on the lower part of the However, tendonitis in the upper part of the body can also occur in the elbow or shoulder area. The treatment of this injury requires the immobilisation of the affected ligament. The pain usually disappears after a fortnight. However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor, as there may be a tear in the ligaments that requires surgery. In this case, physical activity can only be resumed after about six months of rest.

The joint injury

Joints also play a significant role in physical activity. Nevertheless, this organ is less affected than ligaments or muscles. Dislocation is the result of a dislocation between two joints. People practising combat sports or rough contact sports are most prone to this condition. It occurs most often in the knees and shoulder and less often, but possible, in the hip or finger phalanges. The treatment of dislocation is mainly based on reducing the stress on the affected joint and respecting the immobilisation period imposed by the doctor. This usually lasts three to six weeks, depending on whether you are a top-level sportsman or an occasional sportsman. But whatever the level of the person, the recovery of the dislocation requires a progressive re- education while avoiding certain movements.

Bone damage

Much less frequent, but just as painful, bone fractures can also affect athletes during the practice of their activity. A fracture results from a very violent shock to a bone or cartilage. But there are also so-called fatigue fractures, which are the consequence of repeated microtrauma. Depending on the severity of the fracture, surgery may be necessary and recovery depends largely on age. The older you are, the longer it takes for the bones to grow.