SPORTS INJURIES

Muscle injury: caused by direct injury or by straining - especially when warm up is inadequate or exercise is excessive.
Vascular injury: can be the result of direct injury - beware compartment syndrome.
Tendon injury: common in the elderly, and in those not adequately warmed up before exercise.
Ligament injury: as tendon injury. Knees and backs are particularly vulnerable.
Bone/joint injury: persistent deformity/loss of function/pain and swelling, Contact GP.

Compartment syndrome: Bleeding into a muscle compartrnent which cannot stretch because of its fascia lining. Extremely painful. Usually in lower leg.Contact GP urgently.
Stress fracture: Pain every tinic exercise is taken.Contact GP
Collapsing/locking knees: This may signify cartilage injury. Contact GP.
New traumatic knee effusion: Aspiration should be carried out and if bloodyContact GP

Long levers: Children growing rapidly - as there is more than one growing point in the bone -may have apparent problems in completing physical tasks - they should not be pushed.
Osgood Schlatters Disease: Painful, tender anterior tibial tuberosity. Give symptomatic relief and reassure.
Parental pressure: Many children are placed under enormous pressure to perform in a way their parents never did. Do not medicate in these circumstances.

Tendon injury: Achilles tendon rupture can be spontaneous - and often patients believe they were hit with a stick in the back of the leg. Other tendon ruptures are common. Contact GP if suspected.
Cardiovascular risk: Benefits of exercise - especially if supervised and carefully graded will outweigh the risk. Exercise also reduces calcium loss from the skeleton.

Acute injury: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
Chronic injury: Non weight bearing exercise (eg. swimming, straight leg raising) if not improved Contact GP
Prevention: Warm up. Warm down. Trained coaches for exercise schedule

Rubefacient: an agent that causes reddening and warming of the skin, often used as counter irritants for the relief of muscular pain.