Overuse Injuries Common Among Athletes in Training

DAYTON, Ohio (Janurary 15, 2016) - Physical injuries are typically associated with a bump, bruise or break due to some form of sudden trauma. However, according to the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports MedicineOff Site Icon (AOSSM), injuries can happen due to overuse and take place when bones, muscles, ligaments, or tendons are damaged by repetitive stress without receiving ample time to heal.

Overuse injuries are common and can happen subtly over time or when someone first starts playing a sport or activity and does too much, too quickly.

Overuse injuries include:

  • Achilles tendinitis
  • Jumper’s knee
  • Runner’s knee
  • Shin splints
  • Swimmer’s shoulder
  • Stress fractures
  • Tennis elbow

Overuse injuries may force a person to cut back on their workout routine to allow their body to fully recover and avoid the risk of re-injury, according to the AOSSM.

Treatment for overuse injuries can vary for each specific issue. Ice packs and over-the-counter pain medication might be helpful, and a person’s doctor may suggest other activities to help maintain their fitness goals as they recover.

The AOSSM offers the following suggestions to help prevent overuse injuries:

  • Create a fitness plan that helps you map out your goals.
  • Don’t increase your workout all at once. Instead, increase no more than 10 percent each week.
  • Listen to your body; don’t ignore pain or signs of problems.
  • Rest your body by planning time off into your workout schedule. This allows time for your body to recover.
  • Seek advice from a sports medicine specialist.
  • Take time to warm up before a workout.
  • Use ice after your workout.

The AOSSM also advises patients to not overdo it, and that having a specified training plan for their sport or activity can be a patient’s best defense against overuse injuries.

For more information about overuse injuries, talk with your doctor or visit http://www.premierhealthspecialists.org/ to find a physician.

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