When to See a Doctor vs. When to Rest It Out: A Guide to Sports Injuries

The Most Common Sports Injuries

Sports injuries can be divided into two categories: acute and chronic.

Acute Sports Injuries 

Acute Sports Injuries are sudden, like falls, blows, or twists:

• Contusions (bruises). Soft tissue injuries caused by blunt force resulting in pain, swelling, and discoloration.
• Dislocations. When a ligament bears extreme force, the ends of two connected bones can separate. Joint ligaments are especially vulnerable to this kind of injury.
• Fractures. As the name indicates, fractures are breaks in the bones, and they can range from hairline to compound. 
• Sprains. Stretching or tearing of ligaments, which hold the joints together. They often affect the ankles, knees, or wrists.
• Strains. Similar to sprains, they happen when a muscle or tendon (which connects muscles to bones) is twisted or pulled.

Chronic Sports Injuries

Chronic sports injuries are usually the result of overuse and develop over time:

• Tendinitis. Tendinitis is the inflammation of the tendons. It usually results from making repetitive movements without the proper technique. 
• Stress Fractures. Fractures can happen from continuous overuse of the bones, and usually occur in the foot or the leg.

• Plantar Fasciitis. Occurs as a consequence of inflammation in the plantar fascia. If the plantar fascia gets injured or overused, it can swell and make every step you take painful.

• Bursitis. Athletes or weekend warriors, performers, or individuals with jobs that require repetitive motions are prone to developing an inflamed bursa.

Contrary to popular belief, sports injuries aren’t just limited to athletes. Many jobs require physical demands, such as lifting and moving heavy objects or doing repetitive tasks, which puts these workers at risk for sports injuries.

When Sports Injuries Require Immediate Medical Assistance.

There are specific symptoms that signal red flags at the time of getting injured. If you ignore them, you run the risk of letting these symptoms lead to permanent damage, prolonged disability, or even life-threatening complications. Among the most notorious signals that you need immediate medical assistance, we can find:

• Severe Pain and Inability to Function. If you feel that the pain is too much to bear, it is clear that your body is sending clear distress signals. Not the typical post-workout soreness or mild discomfort from overexertion. We are talking about the kind of pain that doesn’t go away with rest and that incapacitates you. 

• Visible Deformity or Instability. It sounds kind of obvious, but if you see any change in the standard shape or alignment of your bones and joints, you require medical attention. These deformities are almost always an indication of fractures or dislocations. In such cases, you will need the help of a doctor to get a proper realignment and stabilization.

• Numbness, Tingling, or Loss of Sensation. After suffering from sports injuries, the person can experience signs of concussion, such as confusion, memory loss, dizziness, loss of sensation, or numbness. Those symptoms could indicate that the injury has affected the nervous system. Even when temporary neurological symptoms such as those mentioned before appear, the person should be evaluated by a professional. 

• Circulation Issues. Whatever change in skin color, temperature, or sensation suggests a change in the blood flow, you may need to look for medical assistance. If the injured area is pale, blue, or unusually cold compared with other parts of your body, blood circulation may be compromised. Similarly, severe swelling that doesn’t respond to elevation and continues to worsen can indicate internal bleeding.

When Home Treatment is Appropriate for Sports Injuries.

It is entirely normal to get hurt by sports injuries; nevertheless, not every injury will require mandatory medical assistance. Some injuries will require just careful monitoring and proper care. If your injury presents the following signals, it means that you will probably not need to look for a specialist:

• Mild to Moderate Pain. Every person has a different pain threshold, but if you generally find the pain bearable, it means that with proper rest and care, it can heal on its own. Of course, there was tissue damage, but this was a signal that it was something minor and shouldn’t take long to recover.

• Minor Swelling and Bruising. This one is tricky, as the presence of bruising or swelling can easily cause concern. However, if the swelling is localized and responds well to ice and elevation within the first 24 hours, you can manage it at home. 

• Slight Stiffness. Yes, your range of motion can suffer after the injury. If you move and the pain remains at mid or moderate, then you probably just need to rest to recover.

Proper Home Treatment for Sports Injuries

If you need to treat a minor injury at home, we recommend using the RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), which is highly effective in treating sports injuries. RICE works like this:

• Rest: Avoid activities that cause stress or pain in the injured area.
• Ice: Apply ice over the area for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours.
• Compression: Compress with an elastic bandage to control the inflammation (not too tight).
• Elevation: Elevate the injured area above the heart level; this helps to reduce swelling.

The RICE method is your best friend at the moment of a sports injury. Your injury should show a noticeable improvement within 48-72 hours. If the symptoms haven’t improved after 72 hours or if new symptoms appear, it’s time to seek professional medical evaluation.