Medically Reviewed by
Dr Wang Lushun
Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
MBBS (S’pore), MRCS (Edin), MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho) (Edin)
Sports injuries refer to any musculoskeletal injury sustained during physical activity or participation in sports due to overuse or trauma. Common sports injuries include sprains, ACL tears, fractures, rotator cuff tears, tennis elbow, and dislocated joints. These injuries can affect various areas of the body, including the shoulder, elbow, knee, foot, ankle, neck, and back.
Both seasoned athletes and common people alike can be affected by sports injuries. Sports injuries can manifest in various forms, ranging from minor sprains and strains to severe fractures and tears. These injuries can occur suddenly due to a trauma or accident (acute) or develop over time due to excessive use (chronic). Some common sports injuries include:
A sprain is an injury to a ligament that occurs when a joint is forced into an unnatural position, causing the ligament to stretch or tear. On the other hand, a strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon often caused by overstretching, twisting, or pulling of the muscles. These injuries affect the ankles, knees, and wrists.
An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear refers to the rupture of a strong band of tissue that connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia) and provides stability to the knee joints. This injury is caused by sudden twisting or pivoting motions while the foot remains firmly planted on the ground. Most ACL tears occur in sports involving sudden stops or changes in direction, such as soccer, basketball, football, and skiing.
This refers to an injury that affects the rotator cuff, a network of muscles and tendons that hold the upper arm bone (humerus) in place within the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff tears can occur due to a sudden fall or accident (acute tear) or the gradual wearing down of tendon tissues with age (degenerative tear). They also frequently occur in athletes who engage in overhead arm movements, such as tennis, weightlifting, and baseball, as well as workers who perform routine tasks such as wall painting.
A fracture occurs when a fall, or a high-impact blow or collision causes damage to the bones. This injury can be severe enough to puncture through the skin (open fracture) or may be less severe and is not visible through the skin (closed fracture). Most fractures happen in the arms, hands, and fingers, especially among athletes and those who frequently place strain and stress on their bones.
Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition characterised by pain and inflammation in the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the outer part of the elbow. This typically affects individuals who perform repetitive activities which place stress on their forearms, wrists, or hands, including tennis players, golfers, and baseball players, as well as assembly line workers and painters.
Dislocation is an injury in which bones connected through a joint are displaced from their normal positions, following a sudden impact on the joint. This condition often occurs in contact sports such as basketball and football. It may affect various joints throughout the body, including the shoulder, hips, and knees.
Shin splints, also called medial tibial stress syndrome, is a condition characterised by pain along the shinbone (tibia). It typically arises during physical activities that involve repetitive strain on the lower legs, such as running or jumping. Shin splints often result from overuse or excessive impact on the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue.
This condition occurs when the Achilles tendon, a large tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone, is completely or partially ruptured as a result of sudden movements that exert force on the tendon.
This refers to an injury or damage to the cartilage, which is a tough, flexible connective tissue that acts as a cushion to reduce friction between bones and allow for smooth joint movement. Cartilage tears can be caused by sudden, forceful impact or degenerative changes.
MBBS (S’pore), MRCS (Edin), MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho) (Edin)
With over 20 years of experience, Dr Wang Lushun specialises in sports orthopaedics and complex joint reconstruction procedures. As the former Head of The Division of Hip and Knee Surgery at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, he has treated athletes and sports professionals, helping patients manage injuries and work towards their recovery goals.
