The musculoskeletal system has various components, including bones, joints, nerves, tendons, and ligaments. When you engage in sports as an amateur or professional player, you risk injuring a component or components of the musculoskeletal system. You will need Scottsdale AZ comprehensive musculoskeletal care if you have a sports injury. Common sports injuries may involve dislocated joints, torn rotator cuff, sprains, and strains.

For example, as a player in contact sports such as rugby or football, you can dislocate your shoulder, hip, ankle, toe, or finger joints. Joint dislocations are injuries that force the end of your bones to become misaligned or out of position.

On the other hand, you can have a torn rotator cuff because of hitting your outstretched hand on the ground. Rotator cuff tears can also slowly develop when you subject your shoulder to repetitive stressful activities. Furthermore, aging can cause degeneration of shoulder tissues to promote rotator cuff tearing.

If you have a serious sports injury, you will spend much time on the treatment table and recuperating. Additionally, sports injuries can increase your chance of developing conditions such as cognitive impairment, arthritis, and depression.

Minimizing your risk of sports injuries is possible. Below are thus some common tips that you can follow to avoid sports-related injuries.

Wear the right protective gear

You can use different protective gear and equipment during training and playing. Essential safety gear that can help prevent or minimize the severity of sports injuries involves wearing proper footwear. Other equally important safety gear and equipment for players are protective eyewear, helmets, and guards for the mouth, knee, elbow, and wrist.

For instance, sports requiring you to wear mouthguards are basketball, boxing, ice hockey, rugby, and skiing. Mouthguards can protect the structures of your mouth, including your teeth, from blows that can cause injuries. A mouth injury can cause broken lips and teeth and bleeding gums.

Understand the rules of playing

Before driving on a major road, the law requires you to know how to drive properly and learn and follow specific rules. That can help protect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians from injuries due to amateur driving.

When it comes to sports, as a player, there are also particular rules and practices to learn and follow. In soccer, players must wear shin guards to protect their lower legs. Also, before you start playing soccer, it is a common practice that you should undergo a good warm-up.

Strengthen and condition the body

Playing sports puts a lot of pressure on the different structures of your musculoskeletal system. Plenty of twisting, turning, running, sudden stopping, and falling occurs. All the range of motion puts you at risk of injuries, particularly if your body is not adequately prepared to handle the physical strain.

That is why there are exercises and activities different sports recommend for players to perform daily. Exercising and warming up strengthen your musculoskeletal system and make it more injury-resistant. Furthermore, always ensure you are adequately hydrated and eat a healthy diet.

Contact AZ Ortho today to schedule an appointment with a sports injury specialist and learn more about treatment options that can restore optimal treatment.