CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
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
Sports-related injuries are injuries that occur during sport or exercise. They can occur for a number of reasons,but are most commonly the result of a fall, heavy blow, using equipment incorrectly, not warming up properly, or pushing yourself too hard.
Injury mainly occurs in the muscles, bones, joints and connective tissues (tendons and ligaments).
Need to know
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.
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
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
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.