- By Priyanka Munshi
- Wed, 19 Feb 2025 05:57 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Sports injuries are a part of the game. Whether you’re a professional athlete or someone who enjoys a weekend match, injuries are inevitable. When they happen, they can sideline you from your favorite activities for weeks, if not months. However, most sports injuries are treatable, and with the right care, you can recover faster and get back in action.
Today, we’re diving into the five most common sports injuries, how they occur, and the best ways to treat them. In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Venkatesh Movva, a renowned Regenerative Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialist and founder of RegenOrthoSport, shares his expertise on sports injuries. With advanced regenerative therapies like HCP and BMAC, he helps athletes recover faster. Let’s break down the top five injuries and how to treat them.
1. Sprains And Strains
What Is It?
Sprains and strains occur when ligaments or muscles are overstretched or torn. A sprain refers to ligament damage, while a strain affects muscles or tendons. These injuries are common in sports that involve sudden twists, jumps, or high-impact movements, such as basketball, soccer, and football.
When Does It Happen?
Sprains and strains often occur during activities like quick pivots, sudden changes in direction, or landing improperly from a jump. Overuse can also contribute to these injuries.
2. Tendinitis
What Is It?
Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon, the tissue that connects muscle to bone. It is typically caused by repetitive movements or overuse. This condition is commonly seen in sports like tennis (tennis elbow), swimming, and running.
How And When Does It Occur?
Repetitive motions, such as swinging a tennis racket or throwing a ball, can put strain on the tendons over time, leading to tendinitis.
3. Fractures
What Is It?
Fractures are breaks in the bone, often caused by impact or a sudden fall. They are common in sports that involve high-speed movements, contact, or falls, such as rugby, football, and skiing.
What Triggers It?
Fractures can result from falls, collisions, or excessive force during sports activities. Stress fractures—tiny cracks in bones—can also develop from overuse, particularly in runners.
4. Dislocations
What Is It?
A dislocation occurs when the ends of your bones are forced out of their normal position, often causing severe pain. The shoulder, knee, and fingers are the most commonly dislocated joints in sports.
When Can It Happen?
Dislocations are typical in contact sports like football, basketball, and hockey, where the body is exposed to significant impact.
5. ACL Injuries
What Is It?
An ACL injury refers to damage to the anterior cruciate ligament, one of the key ligaments that stabilizes the knee. These injuries are common in sports that require rapid direction changes and sudden stops, such as soccer, basketball, and skiing.
When Does This Injury Occur?
ACL injuries often happen when an athlete pivots or changes direction quickly, especially after landing improperly from a jump.
Common Treatment Methods For Sports Injuries
Although sports injuries can be frustrating, they are treatable. Common treatments include:
- Rest: Allowing time for the injured area to heal.
- Ice and Compression: Reducing swelling and alleviating pain.
- Elevation: Keeping the injured area elevated to minimize swelling.
- Physical Therapy: Rehabilitation exercises to restore strength, flexibility, and movement.
- Surgery: In severe cases, such as fractures and ACL injuries, surgery may be required to repair damage.
However, surgery is often a last resort. The real game-changer in modern sports injury treatment lies in Regenerative Medicine.
The Role Of Regenerative Medicine In Treating Sports Injuries
Dr. Venkatesh Movva has been at the forefront of using regenerative treatments such as HCP (High Concentrated Platelet) and BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate) to help athletes recover faster with better long-term results. These treatments use the body’s own healing properties to speed up recovery and regenerate damaged tissues.
Dr. Movva has successfully treated numerous athletes at RegenOrthoSport, including Rahul Chaudhary, a key player in the Pro Kabaddi League, who benefited from regenerative therapies to heal faster from injuries and return to the game sooner.
How Does Regenerative Medicine Work?
- HCP Therapy: In this treatment, blood is drawn from the patient, processed to concentrate the platelets, and then injected back into the injured area. Platelets contain growth factors that promote tissue repair and accelerate healing.
- BMAC Therapy: Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) involves extracting bone marrow from the patient, concentrating the stem cells, and injecting them into the injured area. This aids in the regeneration of tissues such as ligaments and tendons.
These therapies offer a non-invasive alternative to surgery, promoting faster recovery, reducing pain, and improving mobility.
Dr. Venkatesh Movva’s Approach To Sports Injuries
Dr. Movva believes that regenerative therapies not only help athletes recover faster but also prevent long-term complications that may arise from surgical treatments. "In my practice, I’ve seen athletes recover and return to their sport with fewer complications and better long-term results when treated with regenerative medicine. The goal is not just to treat the injury but to restore the body’s natural healing process, giving athletes the best chance to perform at their peak," says Dr. Movva. Injuries are an inevitable part of sports, but the right treatment can make all the difference. Whether you’re dealing with a sprain, tendinitis, fracture, or ACL injury, understanding the injury and seeking proper treatment is key to a full recovery.
Dr. Movva emphasises that while traditional methods like physical therapy are effective, regenerative medicine is quickly becoming the gold standard for treating sports injuries. With experts like Dr. Venkatesh Movva leading the way in regenerative treatments, athletes can return to the game faster and with fewer risks.