Professional and amateur athletes alike confront sports-related injuries at some point in their lives. Simple bruises and cramps fade with time, and rarely indicate the development of any lasting pain syndromes. Read on for descriptions of common injuries, and what you can do about them. A common misconception is that a fracture is a less serious form of a broken bone. In fact, there is no difference at all.
Fractures result when more force is exerted on a bone than it can withstand.
If you think you've broken a bone, see a doctor immediately. Minimize movement of the affected region while in transit. Dislocation is very painful, as it often leads to tears in the surrounding ligaments and joint capsule. The region swells and appears bruised, and the joint no longer functions. Attempting to move a dislocated limb back into proper alignment is not advisable, as it usually results in further injury.