Overuse injuries are caused by a series of small injuries to the same area of the body causing minor fractures, minimal muscle tears, or progressive bone deformities. Participants in contact sports can minimize the risk of minor neck spinal injuries by doing exercises to strengthen their neck muscles and wearing appropriate protective equipment.
Muscle tissue is made up of cells that contract and make the body move.
A tendon consists of tough connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones. Fractures constitute a low 5 to 6 percent of all sports injuries. Most of these breaks occur in the arms and legs. Rarely are the spine and skull fractured. Stress fractures occur frequently because of continuing overuse of a joint.