Sports Injuries
SPORTS INJURIES
Sports injuries result from acute trauma or repetitive stress associated with athletic activities. Sports injuries can affect bones or soft tissue (ligaments, muscles, tendons). In 2002, about 20.3 million Americans suffered a sports injury. Of those, 53% were minor enough to be self-treated or left untreated. However, about 7 million Americans annually receive medical attention for their sports-related injuries. That equates to almost 26 per 1,000 people. About 95% of sports injuries are minor soft tissue traumas. The most common sports injury is a bruise (contusion). It is caused when blood collects at the site of an injury and discolors the skin. Sprains account for one-third of all sports injuries. A sprain is a partial or complete tear of a ligament, a strong band of tissue that connects bones to one another and stabilizes joints. Fractures account for 5-6% of all sports injuries. The bones of the arms and legs are most apt to be broken. Brain injury can also ensue from contact sports. Concussion is the most common head injury in sport and can result from even minor blows to the head. On a larger scale, sports injuries are becoming a public health concern in America. Prevention efforts include wearing protective devices (such as bicycle helmets and pads when skating or skateboarding), and educating both children and adults about safety. The research of today is continuously looking for ways to protect the human body from trauma and will continue improving equipment in the future.
