Physical activity is essential to improving and maintaining your overall health. Whether it’s a round of golf, pickleball, tennis, or any other sport you enjoy, playing sports is a fun way to ensure you’re getting the exercise your body needs. However, athletes and sports hobbyists often suffer from sports-related injuries. Learn more about the types of sports injuries we treat most frequently, along with ways you can treat minor injuries at home.

What Are Sports Injuries?

Sports injuries refer to the types of injuries that most commonly occur when playing sports or being physically active. Most sports injuries affect the musculoskeletal system, which is a network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and tissues in your body that allow you to move and exert physical effort.

What Are the Most Common Sports Injuries?

The most common sports injuries include, but aren’t limited to:

• Bone fractures
• Sprains
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Dislocations
• Strains
• Contusions (bruising)

Some sports injuries are mild and don’t require any treatment beyond rest. However, it never hurts to visit us at urgent care if you’re concerned about a sports injury, and if you’re experiencing severe pain, seek medical attention immediately.

What is a Sprain/Strain?

A sprain is an injury that occurs when you stretch or tear a ligament, which is a flexible band of connective tissue that binds your bones and cartilage together. Ligaments hold the bones in your joints together, which is why sprains are most common in knees, ankles, and wrists. 

A strain happens when you twist, pull, or tear your muscle or tendon. Tendons (also known as sinews) are tough cords of tissue that attach your muscles to your bones. They allow your bones to move as you flex and relax your muscles. Most strains are minor and improve over time with rest; however, severe strains may require physical therapy or even surgery. If you have severe pain following a strain, visit your nearest urgent care center as soon as possible.

Is It a Fracture or a Sprain?

Fractures and sprains share many similar symptoms, including pain and swelling. However, with a bone fracture, you’ll typically hear a cracking or crunching sound at the time of the injury, whereas sprains are usually silent. Fractures can cause tingling or numbness. The site of your pain can also provide clues, as pain from sprains occurs in areas with soft tissues (like around the knee).

If you’re unsure if you’re suffering from a fracture or a sprain, visit urgent care right away. We’re equipped to perform X-rays and other imaging to ensure you receive the proper care.

Dislocations and Contusions

A dislocation occurs when a joint is knocked or pushed out of its normal position. Any joint can be dislocated, but dislocations are most common in fingers, knees, shoulders, hips, elbows, and jaws. Dislocations can be complete (when the bones of the joint are completely separated and out of place) or they can be partial (called a subluxation). Dislocations always require immediate medical attention. 

Contusions are more commonly known as bruising, which occurs when there’s bleeding under your skin from an injury. While minor bruising is rarely a concern and will heal on its own, you can also sustain muscle or bone contusions, which are more serious and should be evaluated by a doctor. Visit urgent care if your bruising lasts more than two weeks, is accompanied by painful swelling, or if you have unusually large, frequent bruises.

What is Tendonitis?

Tendonitis is an inflammation of your tendons, which are the connective tissue between your bones and muscles. Athletes are especially prone to tendonitis because it’s often caused by repetitive actions. This is why types of tendonitis are often named after the sport that most commonly causes it, such as tennis elbow or swimmer’s shoulder. Tendonitis can be acute or chronic. At urgent care, we can perform comprehensive imaging to ensure you receive the proper care for tendonitis.

Symptoms of tendonitis include:

• Pain around the affected tendon that usually gets worse with movement
• Hearing or feeling a cracking or popping sensation when moving 
• Stiff joints
• Swelling and skin discoloration around the affected area

 

What is Bursitis?

Bursitis is a repetitive stress injury that causes painful swelling around your joints. It’s caused by overuse and putting too much pressure on your bursa, which is a small, fluid-filled sac that cushions the space between your bones. Bursitis is most common in the shoulders, elbows, knees, feet, hips, and buttocks. It usually gets better with rest, but if your pain is severe or persistent, we may prescribe physical therapy, steroid injections, or surgery to ensure that you get the relief you need.

First Aid for Mild to Moderate Sports Injuries

When treating sports injuries, especially sprains and strains, consider following the RICE protocol, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Ice the affected area, wrap with an elastic bandage to compress, and elevate the area above the level of your heart. You may also take anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) to manage pain and reduce swelling.

When Should I Go to Urgent Care?

Since emergency rooms are intended for life-threatening or complex conditions, most sports injuries are more appropriately treated at an urgent care clinic. 

Visit urgent care for moderate pain (not excruciating), and injuries that don’t involve heavy bleeding or broken bones protruding from your skin. You should also still be able to move the injured area, even with pain or discomfort. Severe concussions or head injuries should be treated in the emergency room. 

Receive Prompt Treatment for Sports Injuries at Lincoln Urgent Care

At Lincoln Urgent Care, we provide comprehensive, compassionate care for all types of sports injuries at a price you can afford. We work with a wide variety of insurance providers and offer discounts to those who are uninsured. Call or walk into one of our clinics in Lincoln, Granite Bay, or Roseville for prompt evaluation and treatment!

Lincoln Urgent Care (916) 258-2751

Granite Bay Urgent Care (916) 570-7265

Lincoln Urgent Care Roseville (916) 727-6846