Sports Injuries

Different reasons motivate us to engage in physical activity. Whether it’s for a better quality of life, a healthier lifestyle, or weight loss, no one is immune to a sports injury. When we say sports injury, we often think of a fall or an accident that leads to a hospital visit. However, this belief is not entirely accurate. Sports injuries can be divided into two categories: acute sports injuries and overuse/non-traumatic sports injuries. It is important to note that the examples provided in this text represent common and everyday sports injuries but are not limited to them. Additionally, each person heals differently.

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Acute/Traumatic Sports Injuries

To classify a sports injury as acute, there must be a specific identifiable event that caused the trauma. For example, if you trip on a sidewalk while running and feel instant pain in your ankle, you might immediately think of an ankle sprain. Or, if you fall heavily on your shoulder during a bike ride and experience sudden sharp pain, you might suspect a fracture or dislocation. A sudden pain in the back of the thigh (hamstring) can occur during a sprint or a rapid change of direction to return a tennis ball.

An acute sports injury can also occur if an external object hits the body. For example, if a hockey player stops a puck with their hand, they may injure their hand or fingers. This can happen even with protective equipment because the puck moves at a very high speed.

These types of injuries result from an impact force and a load greater than the tissue’s capacity to absorb it, whether muscles or bones. Typically, such injuries lead to inflammation, sometimes external or internal bleeding, which can take up to 48 hours to appear. There may also be a reduction in the range of motion of the affected joint. The healing process begins as soon as the injury occurs. The observed inflammation is necessary and essential for tissue repair.

The primary goal with an acute sports injury is to avoid worsening the situation. Schedule an appointment with your physiotherapist as soon as possible after the trauma. In the meantime, apply the POLICE principle to the affected area:

• P: Protection of the injured area
• OL: Optimal loading (determined through physiotherapy evaluation)
• I: Ice
• C: Compression
• E: Elevation

IMPORTANT: During the first 72 hours following an acute sports injury, it is crucial to avoid the following to promote healing with minimal damage:

• Applying heat to the injured area
• Consuming alcohol
• Engaging in moderate-impact activities (running, jumping, etc.)
• Massaging the injury

Since 2020, physiotherapists with the proper certification can prescribe X-rays if deemed necessary, provided the sports injury meets the criteria established by the Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).

 

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Overuse/Non-Traumatic Sports Injuries

An overuse sports injury occurs from excessive use of the body’s capacities during physical activity over a short period. Causes may include rapid increases in training, excessive muscle fatigue (lack of rest), a change in training surface (asphalt vs treadmill), worn-out equipment (old shoes), inadequate technique, suboptimal body biomechanics, lack of muscle strength, etc. Repeated inadequate activity causes the body to send pain signals to the most stressed structure. Whether it’s the elbow, knee, or foot, the pain starts mild but intensifies with repetition, as compensation at the joint increases.

It’s important to remember that multiple factors can lead to an overuse injury. In other words, no single event causes the pain—it’s the repeated activity over time. Overuse injuries do not require a hospital visit but may lead to a consultation with a family doctor or a physiotherapist.

For example, if someone plays tennis 2-3 times per week and their body is not physically prepared for the swings, or their backhand technique is suboptimal, an overuse injury at the elbow (tennis elbow) is likely. Similarly, if someone begins jogging 3-4 times per week with improper or worn-out shoes and without adequate rest between sessions, the risk of an overuse injury in the shin increases.

If pain is ignored and training continues without modification, an overuse injury can develop into an acute sports injury with trauma. Due to structural fatigue from overuse, even a small external load can cause a more severe acute injury, requiring immediate rest to allow the body to recover.

 

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Physiotherapy and Sports Injuries

In all cases—whether acute or overuse injuries—visiting a physiotherapist is beneficial. Physiotherapists understand human anatomy (muscles, bones, nerves) and biomechanics and can analyze the movements required for your sport to minimize injury risk. Their role in rehabilitation is to guide tissue repair, monitor progress, and ensure you reach peak performance once recovered.

During your first visit, the health professional will conduct a comprehensive assessment to ensure proper mobility, adequate muscle strength for the chosen activity, and optimal training load. Follow-up sessions will help progress rehabilitation while preventing re-injury, allowing you to return to peak performance. The ultimate goal is not just to heal but to prevent recurrence. Together with your physiotherapist, you will establish a treatment plan tailored to your needs and limitations, helping you maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.

Reference: Brukner & Khan’s, Clinical Sports Medicine: Injuries, Volume 1, 5th edition, 2018

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