An ankle or knee sprain or, worse, a bone fracture are game-stoppers for professional athletes. While you recover from the injury, you will lose a degree of the performance level you’ve reached through hard work. This is why the doctors at our Roswell spine and orthopaedic clinic believe that prevention is better than treatment when it comes to sport-related orthopedic injuries.
In this article, we will share the most important tips you need to know to prevent such injuries. But do not forget that, if you suffer an accident despite all these precautions, we are here to help you heal and get back to your training as soon as possible.
1. Never Skip Warming Up and Cooling Down
Many doctors and coaches call the warm up and cool down the book-ends to safety in sports. Preparing your body for intense physical effort is essential to avoid injuries ranging from muscle cramps to a serious fall leading to fracture.
Likewise, you should not stop physical effort suddenly and take a seat in the nearest chair. A smooth transition from effort to a passive state is extremely important for your health, resilience and endurance.
2. Mix and Match Your Routine with Cross-Training
Many sport-related orthopedic injuries occur because you focus exclusively on building strength in one part of your body. For example, boxers may tend to do intensive weight training for their arms and upper body part, while cyclists favor leg exercises.
In reality, all your muscle groups need equal attention and training. And this is why the best training routine is cross-training, involving everything from cardio to weight training.
Moreover, focusing too much on training just one part of the body will lead to overuse of the muscles, tendons and ligaments. This is a serious issue which may put an end to your professional sports career.
3. Pay Attention to Your Diet
Various medical experts exhort the importance of a healthy, balanced diet for athletes. Your nutrition should include:
- Vitamins and minerals
- Protein
- Calories
- Carbohydrates
- Fluids
The doctors at our Roswell spine and orthopaedic clinic always discuss diet with patients and offer helpful recommendations. This way, you may correct an inadequate diet and prevent future injuries.
4. Use Only Quality Gear
Quality sports gear is essential for preventing sport-related orthopedic injuries. For instance, if your shoes do not offer support for your pronation or supination (the way your foot rolls inwards as you step), you may suffer various injuries, such as:
- Ankle sprain
- Tendinitis
- Plantar fasciitis
Likewise, ill-fitting sports clothes and footwear may cause an accident due to tripping or restricted range of motion. Your equipment represents the tools of your trade, so choose it carefully.
5. Listen to Your Body
Finally, do not forget to pay heed to any signals of pain, discomfort or exhaustion your body gives you. While you should strive and overcome your limits and improve your performance, do not push yourself too hard.
Pain is the simplest and most direct way in which your body tells you that something is wrong and you need to take a break from training and let a doctor check you. The sooner you act, the better. You will make a quick and full recovery and get back to your training.
Come to Our Roswell Spine and Orthopaedic Clinic for Sport Injury Treatment!
The doctors and physical therapists at our Rosswell spine and orthopaedic clinic have extensive experience in treating sport-related orthopedic injuries. We will make sure that you make a full recovery and that you do not lose any function, strength and flexibility in the injured area.
Your road to recovery from sports injuries starts with us, so call us to make an appointment at 678-929-4494!
