Sports injuries
Sports-related sprains, splints and strains
HCA UK has the expertise to diagnose a range of sports related sprains, splints and strains
About sports injuries
Injury mainly occurs in the muscles, bones, joints and connective tissues (tendons and ligaments).
Need to know
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What are common sports injuries and their symptoms? icon plus
The most common type of sports injuries occur in the ankle, foot, wrist, thumb, knee, leg or back. They can be a sprain, strain or splint.
- A sprain: when a ligament is twisted, stretched or torn.
- A strain: when muscle fibres are torn (or pulled).
- A splint (such as shin splint): when the tissue around the bone is inflamed.
The most common symptoms of sports injuries
- Pain, tenderness, swelling and bruising of an area that occurs immediately while playing sport or exercising.
- Restricted movement or stiffness in the area that is affected In some cases symptoms may only occur several hours after you have played sports or exercised.
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Screening and diagnosis icon plus
If you have severe pain or injury, you should visit your nearest Emergency department straight away.
If your symptoms are minor, you may be able to manage them yourself with pain relief, by resting the affected area and by applying an ice pack. If they don't improve in time, contact your GP or consultant for advice.
Sports injuries can be diagnosed in several ways. Your GP or consultant will discuss your symptoms with you. Tests they recommend may include:- physical examination of the affected area to check for pain, swelling or restricted movement
- X-ray to check for torn tendons and ligaments
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Potential treatment options icon plus
Treatment options for sports injuries depend on the type of injury you have and your overall health and fitness. These may include:
- physiotherapy to improve your range of movement, rebuild strength and regain flexibility
- steroid injections to relieve pain and inflammation
- surgery to repair torn ligaments such as knee ligament surgery
Our sports physicians
Our locations
From complex sports injuries to diagnostic scans and procedures, we provide exceptional sports medicine care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
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Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road
London
W1T 7HA
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The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place
St John's Wood
London NW8 9LE
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HCA UK at The Shard
The Shard
32 St Thomas Street
London SE1 9BS
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London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2PR
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HCA UK at The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 1NY
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The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place
London W1U 5NY
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Chelsea Outpatients
272 & 280 Kings Road
London SW3 5AW
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HCA UK City of London - 31 Old Broad Street
London
EC2N 1HT
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The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road
London
SW1W 8RH
Book an appointment
Our team can help with any enquiries or you can make an appointment with one of our experienced consultants.
Call us today
020 7079 4344