"One Officer One Sport" Series 5
Know More About Sports Injury

Tendon passing through the shoulder joint is impinged during overhead arm movement. The repeated impingement makes the tendon inflamed and become painful on movement.

Type of Sports: Sports involved in overhead arm movement, such as swimming, badminton, baseball.

Sign and symptom:

* Pain at the front of shoulder;

* Painful with arm elevation, with or without click inside the joint;

* Difficult with putting on clothes, and unable to lie on your painful side;

* Pain may radiate down to the upper arm and elbow.

Self-Help Tips: Avoid overhead arm elevation. You may strengthen your scapular muscles to avoid impingement.

Tennis Elbow

Tendonosis (degeneration of tendon) of the forearm muscle due to overuse or improper skill.

Type of Sports: Racket sports, such as tennis, badminton, squash and golf.

Sign and symptom:

* Pain on the outer side of elbow;

* Painful with hand gripping, twisting towel or holding heavy object;

* Difficult with elbow bending.

Self-Help Tips: You may stretch your forearm muscle to improve flexibility. Strengthening help to avoid the recurrence of pain. Proper use of elbow brace during a household job may help to alleviate symptoms.

Sprain Back

Forceful and excessive trunk movement will sprain the disc and ligament of your spine. It usually happens with trunk twisting and forward bending. The sprained structure will be inflamed which may irritate the nerve nearby, causing pain along your leg and foot.

Type of Sports: Golf, gymnastics, running and rowing.

Sign and symptom:

* Pain on your lower back, which may radiate to your buttock, thigh, calf and foot;

* Difficult with trunk movement, especially forward bending and twisting;

* Cough or sneeze may increase your pain;

Self-Help Tips: Avoid trunk bending or prolonged sitting. Use hands to support your back when you cough and sneeze. Use corset for support if you are in great pain.

Knee pain

The degeneration of cartilage of your knee, especially your knee cap (patella), may stiffen the joint and become painful if inflamed. Twisting and direct blow from the side may tear the ligaments, which make your knee unstable and incapable for high impact sport.

Type of Sports: Football, basketball, distance running, hiking and ice-skiing.

Sign and Symptom:

* Pain or swelling around the knee joint;

* Painful with squatting or walking up or down stairs;

* Give way upon quick movement or change of direction;

* Feel "click" or "locked" if cartilage is torn;

* Feel weak upon walking and unable to run.

Self-Help Tips: Take rest and put on knee brace for stabiliation. Avoid stair walking or sudden change of direction. If you feel significant "click" or "locked" upon walking, consult a specialist immediately.

Sprain Ankle

Inward or outward sprain of ankle strains the surrounding ligament and tendons. The strained structure will become lax and the joint will be unstable. It may increase the chance of re-injury.

Type of Sports: Hiking, basketball, dancing and football.

Sign and Symptom:

* Pain and swelling around the ankle joint and foot;

* Unable to bear weight on walking;

* Feel unstable when walking on unsmooth surface;

Self-Help Tips: Swelling control is critical at the initial stage; immerse your foot into ice water for 15 minutes. At the later stage, you should strengthen the muscle and train the balance to prevent re-injury.

Remarks: If the condition doesn't improve after a two-day self-management, or if the injury is too severe and painfaul, please visit doctor or specialist immediately.

Registered Physiotherapist Raymond Tsoi