There are many facets of a sportsperson's career that they try to avoid. One is losing any match or a final, but the worst thing that can happen to a player is a major injury which can disrupt their career or the performance of their team.
Over the years, many sportspersons have had to cut short their careers because of major injuries sustained while playing the sport. Among the most prominent examples is that of former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, who was a prodigal talent but had to retire at the age of 30 after multiple injuries curtailed what was a very promising career.
And in cricket, among the most prominent players who were forced to retire was Mark Boucher, who was one of South Africa's most prominent wicketkeeper-batters of his time.
Hence, with the threat of injury looming over every sportsperson whenever they step onto the pitch for a match, we take a look at some of the most common injuries in different sports, and how they affect a sportsperson.
Injuries in cricket
Among the most physical sports, cricketers need to be in their prime to prevent any injury concerns. Much like all sports, cricketers have pre-match warm-up schedules which differ from player to player. But the most common injury in cricket is the hamstring strain, and the most severe is a lumbar stress fracture in young fast bowlers, which is usually season-ending.
In modern cricket, the most infamous case of death via head and face injuries is that of former Australia batter Phillip Hughes. Hughes was struck in an unprotected area just below his left ear. He collapsed before receiving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and was subsequently taken to St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, where he underwent surgery and was placed into an induced coma.
Hughes' injury was a rare but described type of sport-related blunt-force cerebrovascular injury. He never regained consciousness and died from his injuries at the age of 25.
Injuries to Indian players
Studies show that professional cricketers in India have reported a minimum of 16 upper limb injuries in a study group of 95 players over a period of one year. Of these, 12 were acute, with fingers being most commonly injured during fielding while four were repetitive stress injuries.
Other common injuries that plague cricketers include:-
Rotator cuff injuries: Injuries to the rotator cuff occur when any of the four muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor) is strained or torn. This can result in symptoms such as pain, swelling and decreased range of motion.
Hamstring strains: The most common of injuries in any sport, hamstring strains commonly occur while doing sudden sprints, when fielding or taking a quick single run. Hamstring strains range in severity, from a minor strain which may feel like an ache in your hamstring, to major strains which are extremely painful and can make it difficult to walk or stand at all.
Ankle sprains: Running at high speeds, as well as shifts in momentum and sudden stopping can all cause ankle sprains.
Abdominal side strain: Most common in bowlers, a side strain occurs when the obliques (the side of your abdomen) are strained or torn. This occurs on the opposite side of the bowling arm and can range in severity.
Contusions: Contusions are caused by direct impact on a muscle, commonly by the ball. This causes swelling and bruising of the area and can vary in severity, generally, if the ball hits you at a faster speed the contusion will be more severe.
Throwers elbow (medial epicondylitis): Throwers elbow is an overuse injury caused by the repetitive strain of throwing a cricket ball, commonly occurring in bowlers. The onset of symptoms is often gradual and can include pain on the inside of the elbow, and weakness of the wrist.
Injuries in football
Soccer has evolved massively over the years and the game has been made to prevent major injuries and protect players. However, on some occasions either wanted over unwittingly, some players do end up hurting themselves more than they want to.
Many footballers have passed away on the pitch because of heart issues, but coming closer to home, we remember former Brazilian football Cristiano Junior, who collided with goalkeeper Subrata Pal while scoring a goal and collapsed. He was rushed to Hosmat Hospital in Bengaluru but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Football injuries to look out for
Ankle Sprain: Ankle sprains can happen when ligaments around the ankle are stretched and torn. There are three common ankle sprains that occur when playing soccer. These are:-
Lateral sprains: Occurs when using the top of the foot to kick the ball.
Medial sprains: Happens when turning the toes up and out.
Syndesmotic sprains: Caused by hyperdorsiflexion -- Sprains that happen when you point the toes out too far or up too far.
Calf Strains: Among the most common football injuries that can occur when running, jumping, or performing other uncoordinated movements. Calf strains can occur when running, jumping, or performing other uncoordinated movements. Some types include:
Gastrocnemius strain: The most common calf strain. The pain is usually located in the inner part of the lower leg.
Plantaris Muscle Ruptures: This motion can cause the muscle to rupture, leading to a snapping pain in the back of the leg. There may be bruising and swelling on the back of the leg.
Soleus Muscle Strains: More prevalent in runners. The strain can feel like tightness or soreness in the calf.
Clavicle Fracture: Also known as the collarbone fracture which often takes place during a fall. Such injuries are usually able to heal without any complications. In some rare cases, the broken bone can damage blood vessels and nerves.
Concussion: A mild brain injury produced by a quick blow to the head. They are rarely life-threatening but can be dangerous. It is important to watch a person that has had a concussion closely. If they experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:
Nausea
Seizures
Convulsions
Confusion
Agitation
Restlessness
Loss of consciousness
Slurred Speech
A constant headache
Decreased coordination
Numbness
Drowsiness
One large pupil
Achilles Tendonitis: Occurs due to overuse of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon is the tissue that connects the heel bone to the calf muscles. Achilles Tendonitis occurs due to overuse of the Achilles tendon.
Knee Sprain: The worst kind of injury for a footballer. These ligaments connect the shinbone to the thigh bone. There are four ligaments that may be affected. These are:
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL), Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)
Kneecap Bursitis: Kneecap bursitis is caused by the inflammation of the bursa. Bursa are small fluid-filled sacs located near the knee joint. Kneecap bursitis is often caused by friction from kneeling on hard surfaces.
The rigours of tennis and the injuries that follow
The sport of tennis is one of the most strenuous sports ever played. Tennis stars need to be on their toes throughout the match and need to give their 100% while fighting off the worst possible injuries.
In tennis, injuries can fall into one of two categories: acute and chronic.
Acute injuries: Such injuries may stem from a fall, a collision, or simply contorting the body into an unnatural position. Acute injuries generally lead to sudden pain in the affected area.
Chronic injuries: Built over time. These injuries result from continual improper use, or simply from overuse of a certain body part. Often, symptoms include swelling and lasting pain.
Tennis Elbow: Also called a common golf injury, tennis elbow happens when players bend and flex their elbows quickly and often. It causes inflammation in the tendons that connect the muscle of the forearm to the elbow. Unlike golf elbow, which occurs on the inside, tennis elbow becomes inflamed on the inside. Sometimes called lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow results primarily from overuse, making it a chronic sports injury.
With tennis elbow, you may experience pain or burn on the outside of the elbow, along with a weakened grip. Generally, the forearms are also much weaker.
Stress Fractures in the Back: Serving can wreak havoc on the spine. Hyperextending the back and bending to the side puts tremendous stress on the lower back. With enough repetition, this may result in spondylolisthesis, meaning that the vertebra shifts forward, or spondylolysis, where the pars interarticularis separates. Overall, this means that the vertebra is no longer held firmly in place. For sports medicine specialists, this condition is treatable.
Basketball injuries that mar the players
Pro basketball players fight to survive until tournament time, right from high school and college level till they became pros after college. But much like many pro players, basketball stars are also subject to basketball injuries. The most common basketball injuries that need treatment include:
Ankle sprains
Achilles tendonitis
Knee tendonitis
Osgood-Schlatter disease
Muscle strains
ACL tears
Finger injuries
Sever's disease (common in youth basketball)
Hockey players and their injuries
Hockey is yet another physical sport that can get the players injured with the worst of movements. Most of the injuries are not too dissimilar to sports like football, and here, we look at some of their injury issues.
Concussion: Concussions are the most common suffered by hockey players and can occur when players strike the boards, another player, or the ice with their head. Preventative measures include well-fitting helmets and being aware of where you and other players are on the ice. If a player experiences symptoms such as dizziness or headaches, it is highly recommended that they be evaluated by a physician. There is also a preseason IMPACT test which serves as a reference test in case of a concussion. Patients have to be symptom-free for at least a week before being cleared to return to play.
Separated Shoulder: In terms of the shoulder, acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation is very common. These often occur by being checked into the boards, falling on the ice, or giving a hit to an opposing player. Preventative measures include good shoulder pads and avoiding hitting or falling on the outside of the shoulder. Treatment highly depends on the amount of separation to the joint.
MCL Injury: Injuries to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) are very common. The MCL is the ligament on the inner side of the knee, and can be stretched after a hit on the outside of the knee.
Groin/Hamstring Pull: These injuries can occur by overstriding or a sudden or from a sudden forceful start. Proper stretching and strengthening can help to prevent this injury.
Ankle Sprain: Ankle sprains can occur with a rapid change of direction on the ice. Proper-sized skates can be a helpful preventative measure for ankle sprains. Treatment for this particular injury includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation, commonly known as the RICE method.
