Ask a physio: 3 common sports injuries and what happens next

What are the three most common sports injuries?

Playing sports can sometimes cause injuries. Here are the three injuries that happen the most:

1. Ankle Sprain: This happens when you twist your ankle.
2. Knee Injury: Your knee can get hurt when you play sports.
3. Strained Muscle: This happens when you pull or stretch a muscle too much.

If you get hurt, tell a grown-up or a coach. You can use ice and rest to feel better. Stay safe when playing!

How do I know if I hurt a joint?

What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?

A sprain happens when you hurt a ligament. Ligaments are bands that connect bones together. A strain happens when you hurt a muscle or a tendon. Tendons are bands that connect muscles to bones.

Here are some simple ways to tell them apart and remember:

• A sprain hurts your ligament. Think of a sprain as when your wrist or ankle twists.
• A strain hurts your muscle or tendon. Think of a strain as when your back or leg gets pulled.

If you think you have a sprain or a strain, tell an adult or a doctor. They can help you feel better. Using a picture chart or a model of the body can help you understand more.

What to do right after getting hurt in sports?

If you get hurt while playing sports, here is what you can do:

1. Stop playing right away.
2. Sit down and rest.
3. Put ice on the hurt area. It helps with pain and swelling.
4. Keep the hurt part raised up if you can.
5. Ask an adult or coach for help.
6. See a doctor if it still hurts or is serious.

If reading is hard, try:

• Using audiobooks to listen instead of read.
• Asking someone to read with you.
• Using bright-colored markers or highlighters to focus on parts.

How long does it take to get better from a sprain?

A sprain is when you hurt a joint, like your ankle, by twisting it. Getting better can take time. Here is what you might expect:

• A few days to a week: You might start to feel better. Try to rest and not move the hurt joint too much.
• 2 to 4 weeks: You can slowly start using your joint again. Be careful and go slowly.
• More than a month: Sometimes it takes longer if the sprain is bad. Follow what the doctor says.

Helpful Tips:

• Use ice packs to help with swelling.
• Keep the hurt part up on a pillow when sitting or lying down.
• Use a bandage to support the joint.
• Ask a grown-up if you can do exercises to help it get better.

What is a stress fracture?

A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone. It can happen when you use a bone a lot, like jumping or running. If you feel pain in a bone, tell an adult or a doctor.

To help understand, you can use pictures of bones and cracks. You can also talk with a helper like a teacher or parent.

How can I stop getting hurt in sports?

Playing sports is fun, but sometimes we get hurt. Here are some easy ways to stay safe:

• Warm Up: Do simple exercises before you play. This helps your body get ready.
• Use the Right Gear: Wear the right shoes and clothes. Use helmets or pads if needed.
• Learn the Rules: Know how to play the game safely.
• Stay Strong: Eat healthy foods and drink lots of water. Rest when you are tired.
• Stretch: After playing, do stretches to keep your muscles loose.

Remember, it's okay to ask for help. You can also talk to a coach or a grown-up if you have questions.

When should I visit a physiotherapist after getting hurt in sports?

If you get hurt while playing sports, it is important to know when to see a physiotherapist. They are people who help you feel better and get stronger.

• If the pain is really bad and does not go away, see a physiotherapist.
• If you cannot move your body part or it feels very weak, see a physiotherapist.
• If you notice swelling that does not get better, see a physiotherapist.
• If you have been resting but still do not feel better, see a physiotherapist.

Tools that can help:

• Ice packs to make swelling go down.
• An elastic bandage to wrap on sore spots.
• Resting and not using the hurt body part.

A physiotherapist can show you exercises to help you get better.

How do physiotherapists help with sports injuries?

Physiotherapists help people who get hurt playing sports. They make a plan to help you feel better. Here are some ways they help:

• Exercises: They show you easy exercises to help your body get stronger.
• Massage: They use their hands to gently rub your muscles.
• Stretching: They help you stretch your muscles so they don't feel tight.
• Hot and Cold Treatment: They might use hot packs or cold packs to help with pain.
• Support Tools: They suggest things like bandages or braces to protect your injury.

If you’re trying to understand more about injuries, you can use pictures or videos for help. Also, ask someone you trust to explain things for you.

Can I keep doing exercise if I have a small sports injury?

If you have a small hurt from sports, you might still want to play or exercise. This is possible, but be very careful. Here is what you can do:

• Listen to your body. If it hurts too much, stop.
• Rest the hurt area when needed.
• Try different exercises that don’t hurt.
• Use ice packs to help with swelling.
• Wrap or bandage your injury for support.
• Ask a grown-up or a doctor for advice if you’re not sure.
• Think about using apps or videos to show you safe exercises.

It is important to be careful so you don’t make the injury worse.

How can I make pain from a sports injury feel better?

Here are some tips to help with pain:

• Rest the hurt area. Don't use it for a while.
• Put ice on the sore spot. Do this for 15-20 minutes to help with swelling.
• Wrap the area with a bandage, but not too tight.
• Keep the sore area raised up. Use a cushion or pillow.

Other things that might help:

• Ask a grown-up or doctor if you can take medicine to feel better.
• Try special exercises or stretches once you start to heal.

If it still hurts, ask a doctor or a nurse for help.

How can rehabilitation help you get better from a sports injury?

Rehabilitation is like a special exercise plan to help you heal when you get hurt playing sports.

It helps make your muscles strong again so you can play your sport safely.

You might work with a coach or a therapist who shows you what exercises to do.

Remember to rest, eat healthy food, and follow the advice of your doctor to get better.

There are also tools to help you, like videos showing exercises or apps to track your progress.

Do some sports cause more injuries than others?

Can taping or bracing help stop sports injuries?

What will happen at my first physiotherapy visit for a sports injury?

Going to physiotherapy for the first time might feel new. The physiotherapist is there to help you feel better. Here is what you can expect:

• The physiotherapist will ask you questions about your injury. They want to know how it happened and how it feels.
• They will check how you move and see how your injury affects you.
• The physiotherapist might gently touch or move your injured part to see what hurts.
• You can ask questions if anything is confusing. It's okay if you don't understand something right away.
• The physiotherapist will make a plan to help you get better. This might include exercises you can do at home.

Remember, this is to help you feel better, and you have a team there to support you. If you use any helpful tools or techniques like drawing or writing down questions, bring them along to help. It's okay to ask someone to come with you if you feel nervous.

What are the three most common sports injuries?

Playing sports can sometimes cause injuries. Here are the three injuries that happen the most:

1. Ankle Sprain: This happens when you twist your ankle.
2. Knee Injury: Your knee can get hurt when you play sports.
3. Strained Muscle: This happens when you pull or stretch a muscle too much.

If you get hurt, tell a grown-up or a coach. You can use ice and rest to feel better. Stay safe when playing!

How do I know if I hurt a joint?

What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?

A sprain happens when you hurt a ligament. Ligaments are bands that connect bones together. A strain happens when you hurt a muscle or a tendon. Tendons are bands that connect muscles to bones.

Here are some simple ways to tell them apart and remember:

• A sprain hurts your ligament. Think of a sprain as when your wrist or ankle twists.
• A strain hurts your muscle or tendon. Think of a strain as when your back or leg gets pulled.

If you think you have a sprain or a strain, tell an adult or a doctor. They can help you feel better. Using a picture chart or a model of the body can help you understand more.

What to do right after getting hurt in sports?

If you get hurt while playing sports, here is what you can do:

1. Stop playing right away.
2. Sit down and rest.
3. Put ice on the hurt area. It helps with pain and swelling.
4. Keep the hurt part raised up if you can.
5. Ask an adult or coach for help.
6. See a doctor if it still hurts or is serious.

If reading is hard, try:

• Using audiobooks to listen instead of read.
• Asking someone to read with you.
• Using bright-colored markers or highlighters to focus on parts.

How long does it take to get better from a sprain?

A sprain is when you hurt a joint, like your ankle, by twisting it. Getting better can take time. Here is what you might expect:

• A few days to a week: You might start to feel better. Try to rest and not move the hurt joint too much.
• 2 to 4 weeks: You can slowly start using your joint again. Be careful and go slowly.
• More than a month: Sometimes it takes longer if the sprain is bad. Follow what the doctor says.

Helpful Tips:

• Use ice packs to help with swelling.
• Keep the hurt part up on a pillow when sitting or lying down.
• Use a bandage to support the joint.
• Ask a grown-up if you can do exercises to help it get better.

What is a stress fracture?

A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone. It can happen when you use a bone a lot, like jumping or running. If you feel pain in a bone, tell an adult or a doctor.

To help understand, you can use pictures of bones and cracks. You can also talk with a helper like a teacher or parent.

How can I stop getting hurt in sports?

Playing sports is fun, but sometimes we get hurt. Here are some easy ways to stay safe:

• Warm Up: Do simple exercises before you play. This helps your body get ready.
• Use the Right Gear: Wear the right shoes and clothes. Use helmets or pads if needed.
• Learn the Rules: Know how to play the game safely.
• Stay Strong: Eat healthy foods and drink lots of water. Rest when you are tired.
• Stretch: After playing, do stretches to keep your muscles loose.

Remember, it's okay to ask for help. You can also talk to a coach or a grown-up if you have questions.

When should I visit a physiotherapist after getting hurt in sports?

If you get hurt while playing sports, it is important to know when to see a physiotherapist. They are people who help you feel better and get stronger.

• If the pain is really bad and does not go away, see a physiotherapist.
• If you cannot move your body part or it feels very weak, see a physiotherapist.
• If you notice swelling that does not get better, see a physiotherapist.
• If you have been resting but still do not feel better, see a physiotherapist.

Tools that can help:

• Ice packs to make swelling go down.
• An elastic bandage to wrap on sore spots.
• Resting and not using the hurt body part.

A physiotherapist can show you exercises to help you get better.

How do physiotherapists help with sports injuries?

Physiotherapists help people who get hurt playing sports. They make a plan to help you feel better. Here are some ways they help:

• Exercises: They show you easy exercises to help your body get stronger.
• Massage: They use their hands to gently rub your muscles.
• Stretching: They help you stretch your muscles so they don't feel tight.
• Hot and Cold Treatment: They might use hot packs or cold packs to help with pain.
• Support Tools: They suggest things like bandages or braces to protect your injury.

If you’re trying to understand more about injuries, you can use pictures or videos for help. Also, ask someone you trust to explain things for you.

Can I keep doing exercise if I have a small sports injury?

If you have a small hurt from sports, you might still want to play or exercise. This is possible, but be very careful. Here is what you can do:

• Listen to your body. If it hurts too much, stop.
• Rest the hurt area when needed.
• Try different exercises that don’t hurt.
• Use ice packs to help with swelling.
• Wrap or bandage your injury for support.
• Ask a grown-up or a doctor for advice if you’re not sure.
• Think about using apps or videos to show you safe exercises.

It is important to be careful so you don’t make the injury worse.

How can I make pain from a sports injury feel better?

Here are some tips to help with pain:

• Rest the hurt area. Don't use it for a while.
• Put ice on the sore spot. Do this for 15-20 minutes to help with swelling.
• Wrap the area with a bandage, but not too tight.
• Keep the sore area raised up. Use a cushion or pillow.

Other things that might help:

• Ask a grown-up or doctor if you can take medicine to feel better.
• Try special exercises or stretches once you start to heal.

If it still hurts, ask a doctor or a nurse for help.

How can rehabilitation help you get better from a sports injury?

Rehabilitation is like a special exercise plan to help you heal when you get hurt playing sports.

It helps make your muscles strong again so you can play your sport safely.

You might work with a coach or a therapist who shows you what exercises to do.

Remember to rest, eat healthy food, and follow the advice of your doctor to get better.

There are also tools to help you, like videos showing exercises or apps to track your progress.

Do some sports cause more injuries than others?

Can taping or bracing help stop sports injuries?

What will happen at my first physiotherapy visit for a sports injury?

Going to physiotherapy for the first time might feel new. The physiotherapist is there to help you feel better. Here is what you can expect:

• The physiotherapist will ask you questions about your injury. They want to know how it happened and how it feels.
• They will check how you move and see how your injury affects you.
• The physiotherapist might gently touch or move your injured part to see what hurts.
• You can ask questions if anything is confusing. It's okay if you don't understand something right away.
• The physiotherapist will make a plan to help you get better. This might include exercises you can do at home.

Remember, this is to help you feel better, and you have a team there to support you. If you use any helpful tools or techniques like drawing or writing down questions, bring them along to help. It's okay to ask someone to come with you if you feel nervous.