There are generally two types of sports injuries, acute injuries and chronic injuries. An acute injury occurs suddenly, like a broken bone or a sprained ankle. You will usually feel sudden and severe pain as soon as it happens. A chronic or recurrent sports injury is an injury that happens after you have been playing a sport or exercising for some time. Improper training, overuse, or faulty equipment can lead to recurrent injuries.
Who is Most at Risk for a Recurrent Sports Injury?
Athletes, young adults and children are most prone to developing recurrent sports injuries with patterns that vary by gender and sport. The highest rate of recurrent injuries occurs with football players. Females are more to prone to suffering recurrent injuries than males are. The most common recurrent sports injuries occur in knees, ankles, and shoulders and often involve ligament strains or muscle sprains.
The most common reasons for recurrent sports injuries include:
- Ignoring feelings of pain or weakness
- Poor proprioception
- Overuse
- Incomplete rehabilitation
- Improper warming up
Preventing a Recurrent Sports Injury
The key to preventing a recurrent sports injury is to prevent the initial injury from happening in the first place. Recurrent sports injuries can be worse than the original injury the patient has suffered. For instance, a previously injured ligament or tendon might have a partial tear that has caused it to become weak. The next injury to that area could be a complete rupture. This could make an athlete’s future participation in their chosen sport challenging.
How a Sports Medicine Doctor Can Help
A sports medicine doctor like Dr. Howard Marans can be extremely helpful in preventing a recurrent sports injury from occurring. Sports medicine doctors work with their patients to develop an individualized treatment plan to meet his or her expected outcome. For example, in a case where an athlete may have suffered a partial tear to a tendon or ligament, it might be recommended to repair it through surgery to prevent a future rupture, especially when the patient is very active.
Once the initial injury has healed, Dr. Marans would continue to work with his patient through rehabilitation and physical therapy. The Doctor would continue to monitor the patient’s progress as he or she returns to their sport, make recommendations to reduce their chance of re-injury, and assist the patient in improving his or her performance.
Dr. Howard Marans Helps Prevent Recurrent Sports Injuries
If you have suffered a sports injury, Dr. Howard Marans can help you avoid having a recurrent sports injury. Call our office to schedule your consultation at 714.979.8981 or click the button below.
