It takes a lot of hard work to become an athlete. You will have to make sure that your physical stature is at peak condition, especially if you are getting involved in a contact sport. Your mentality should also be strong. You will have to work on getting a competitive edge and a relentless attitude to help you thrive in your passion. However, you will be facing a common problem known as injuries. The occurrence will derail you in your path for improvement. You will have to get ahead of injuries by learning about them and their treatment.
Ankle Sprain
If you are playing in a sport that involves running and jumping, you are aware of the common injury known as an ankle sprain. You will be using your legs throughout a match, which means that a wrong step or a flawed landing will likely twist your ankle. There are ways for you to avoid the injury, but you will inevitably suffer from it throughout your career. Most cases of ankle sprains are mild, which means that you will only have to apply cold compress on the swelling and take a rest. However, you might suffer from grade 2 sprain or ligament tear, which will require you to get the surgical repair.
Hamstring Strain
If you rely on your speed in your sport, you will be putting your legs through extensive work. While your body is capable of enduring physical demands, you might notice that your legs will not be able to keep up. A hamstring strain occurs when you overexert yourself during a run, which could lead to disastrous results during a game. You will start to feel pain behind your knees. If you try to continue playing with a hamstring strain, you will risk getting an ACL tear, which could set you back for a year from playing sports. If you suffer from a hamstring strain, you should consider taking a break from sports for at least two weeks. You will need to let your body recover by starting slow. If the pain is becoming too much, you should consider getting surgery.
Concussion
Accidents can happen in contact sports. However, you will find that your body is equipped to take bumps and bruises. However, the skull will only be able to provide enough protection for your brain. If you accidentally hit your head on another person or the floor, you might get a concussion. The condition is not a simple headache. You might be suffering from nausea and vomiting if you get a concussion. Coughing up blood and experiencing blurry vision are also symptoms of the condition. A concussion is something you should take seriously. You should consider resting for two weeks to a month if you want to avoid permanent brain damage.
Neuropathy
Athletes need a break from physical activities if they want to achieve maximum performance. If you try to push yourself to the limit too much, your body might give up on you. If you do not give yourself time to rest, you might experience neuropathy. The condition will cause damage to your nerves, which could affect your muscles. You might feel that a body part, specifically your limbs, will start to feel numb and weak. You should consider consulting a neurologist in Bartlesville to help you recover.
Athletes have a responsibility to take care of their bodies. Injuries, however, will happen no matter how much you try to prevent them. Fortunately, you will be able to prepare yourself to handle the recovery if you know what you are up against.
