Each year, over 10 million sports-related injuries are treated. Listed below are popular sports in Western Pennsylvania. Click on a sport below to view common injuries, injury descriptions and injury prevention tips. View links to additional resources from The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, The National Athletic Trainers Association, and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

Football, Baseball/Softball, Basketball, Tennis, Hockey, Running
Wrestling, Volleyball, Swimming, Golf, Soccer

Football

Football season generally begins in late summer and lasts through early winter. Football has the highest injury rate on every level of competition. Every year, about 2 million football related injuries are reported from the youth through collegiate levels.

Common Football Injuries:

• Concussion – Impact to the head that shakes the brain, causing an interruption in normal brain activity.
• Stinger – (or burner) Minor nerve damage resulting from impact to the shoulder/neck area. Often results in temporary burning and numbness in the arm.
• Dislocated Shoulder – A painful injury where the humerus arm bone is forced out of the shoulder joint.
• Separated Shoulder – A partial or complete separation of the collar bone and shoulder blade. This separation occurs at the acromioclavicular joint where the two bones are held together by ligaments.
• Hamstring Strain – A stretching or partial tearing of the hamstring muscle(s). This injury is often called a pulled hamstring.
• Torn ACL – A complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a ligament connecting the femur and tibia leg bones in the center of the knee. This injury generally requires surgical repair and rehabilitation.
• Ankle Sprain – A stretching, partial tear, or tear of ligaments in the ankle joint. This is one of the most common injuries and has different ranges of severity.
• Turf Toe – A painful injury in the big toe joint. This can be caused by jamming the toe or bending it backwards. It often leads to swelling and inflammation.

Tips for Preventing Football Injuries

Baseball/Softball

Baseball season typically begins in early spring and goes on through fall. Each year, around 500,000 baseball injuries are treated.

Common Baseball Injuries:

• Rotator Cuff Tear – The rotator cuff is a group of tendons that hold the shoulder joint in place. When a tendon is torn, pain, swelling, and loss of motion can occur.
• Dislocated Elbow – The elbow joint is where the humerus, radius, and ulna bones meet. A dislocation occurs when one or more of the bones become disengaged from the joint.
• Ankle Sprain – A stretching, partial tear, or tear of ligaments in the ankle joint. This is one of the most common injuries and has different ranges of severity.
• Dislocated Shoulder – A painful injury where the humerus arm bone is forced out of the shoulder joint.
• Mallet Finger – (or baseball finger) A tear of the tendon in the finger that normally allows the finger to straighten. This is caused by a blunt force that bends the tip of the finger backwards.
• Hamstring Strain – A stretching or partial tearing of the hamstring muscle(s). This injury is often called a pulled hamstring.
• Sprained Fingers/thumb – Often this injury occurs when catching a baseball, or sliding into base. The fingers/thumb can get jammed in or bent backwards causing the ligaments to overstretch.
• Contusions – Contusions are common in baseball, especially when being struck by the ball. The tissue under the skin becomes damaged. Often swelling and a visual bruise on the skin will occur.

Tips for Preventing Baseball Injuries

Basketball

The basketball season lasts from fall to early spring. Each year, more than 1.6 million basketball related injuries are treated.

Common Basketball Injuries:

• Ankle Sprain – A stretching, partial tear, or tear of ligaments in the ankle joint. This is, by far, the most common injury in basketball and has different ranges of severity.
• Shoulder Sprain – An overexertion of the ligaments around the shoulder joint that causes a partial tearing.
• Tendonitis – The inflammation and irritation of tendons that attach muscles to bones in joints. Most commonly tendonitis affects the knee, elbow, and shoulder.
• Elbow Bursitis – The bursa are sacks of fluid between bone and tendon that allow the tendon to slide smoothly. Bursitis is caused when bursa become inflamed and irritated due to overuse.
• Jumper’s Knee – Jumpers knee, as it is commonly called, is tendonitis of the patellar tendon. This injury is also referred to as runner’s knee and is caused by an excess of stress on the knees.
• Lower Back Strain – A stretching or partial tearing of the lower back muscles. The muscles that support the spine in the lower back are often vulnerable in sports where jumping is prevalent.
• Hamstring Strain – A stretching or partial tearing of the hamstring muscle(s). This injury is often called a pulled hamstring.

Tips for Preventing Basketball Injuries

Tennis

Tennis is a very popular sport recreationally among all levels and age groups. The season generally lasts through the warm months, late spring through early fall. Each year, around 78,000 tennis-related injuries are treated.

Common Tennis Injuries:

• Tennis Elbow – This is the everyday term for Lateral Epicondylitis. This occurs when the tendons start to tear at the outside of the elbow. This condition can occur from many activities besides tennis, although it is common in tennis.
• Plantar Fasciitis – This is the inflammation and irritation of the plantar fascia, ligaments that attach the heel to the toes. This condition results in pain in the heel.
• Shoulder Sprain – An overexertion of the ligaments around the shoulder joint that may cause a partial tearing.
• Hamstring Strain - A stretching or partial tearing of the hamstring muscle(s). This injury is often called a pulled hamstring.
• Achilles Tendonitis – An inflammation and irritation of the Achilles tendon which connects the back of your foot to your calf muscle. This can cause severe pain and discomfort.
• Ankle Sprain – A stretching, partial tear, or tear of ligaments in the ankle joint. This is one of the most common injuries and has different ranges of severity.

Tips for Preventing Tennis Injuries

Ice Hockey

Hockey is one of the most physical and dangerous sports, and serious injuries are common. Direct trauma and blunt force, like checking and being hit by the puck or stick, account for the majority of hockey injuries.

Common Hockey Injuries:

• Separated Shoulder – A partial or complete separation of the collar bone and shoulder blade. This separation occurs at the acromioclavicular joint where the two bones are held together by ligaments.
• Fractured Ribs – This is a very painful injury that results from blunt force to the rib area. The fracture can occur in one or more of the rib bones in the rib cage. In severe cases, damage to the lungs can also occur.
• Contusion – Contusions are common in hockey, especially when being struck by the puck or a hockey stick. The tissue under the skin becomes damaged. Often swelling and a visual bruise on the skin will occur.
• Wrist Sprain – The ligaments become overextended and sometimes partially tear. This often occurs during a fall when the hand is used to break the fall and the wrist is bent backwards. Swelling, pain, and bruising often occur.
• Stinger - (or burner) Minor nerve damage resulting from impact to the shoulder/neck area. Often results in temporary burning and numbness in the arm.
• Neck Sprain – Often, when the head is suddenly forced in any direction, the ligaments can become damaged. A neck sprain occurs if the ligaments in the neck become overextended or partially torn. This can result in severe pain and stiffness.
• Concussion - Impact to the head that shakes the brain, causing an interruption in normal brain activity.

Tips for Preventing Hockey Injuries

Running

Running is a popular exercise and activity performed by people of all ages all year round. Whether done competitively, recreationally, or during other sports and activities, injuries resulting from running are very common.

Common Running Injuries:

• Runner’s Knee – Also called jumper’s knee, this condition is caused by an excess of stress on the knees common from excessive running. It leads to pain and inflammation of the patellar tendon.
• Shin Splints – (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) Pain and swelling in the front of the lower leg or shin area. This is caused by an inflammation of tissues covering the bone. Most often, shin splints occur from repeated pounding during running.
• Plantar Fasciitis – This is the inflammation and irritation of the plantar fascia, ligaments that attach the heel to the toes. This condition results in pain in the heel.
• Achilles Tendonitis – An inflammation and irritation of the Achilles tendon which connects the back of your foot to your calf muscle. This can cause severe pain and discomfort.
• Hamstring Strain – A stretching or partial tearing of the hamstring muscle(s). This injury is often called a pulled hamstring.
• Ankle Sprain – A stretching, partial tear, or tear of ligaments in the ankle joint. This is one of the most common injuries and has different ranges of severity.
• Blisters – Irritation or rubbing of the skin over the same area can result in these sores. Blisters often fill with fluid and can be tender to the touch.

Tips for Preventing Running Injuries

Wrestling

Wrestling is a popular high school and collegiate sport in Pennsylvania. A variety of injuries can occur with this challenging sport.

Common Wrestling Injuries:

• Burners and Stingers –Burners and Stingers are a common injury in contact or collision sports. The injury is named for a “stinging” or “burning” pain that radiates (spreads) from the shoulder to the hand. This can feel like an “electric shock” down the arm and can be accompanied by a warm sensation.
• Shoulder Sprain – An overexertion of the ligaments around the shoulder joint that causes a partial tearing.
• Thumb Fractures – Are caused by direct stress to the joint and result in severe pain, swelling and extreme tenderness.
• Kneecap Bursitis – Athletes who spend a lot of time on their knees can experience swelling in the front of their knees.
• Ankle Sprain - A stretching, partial tear, or tear of ligaments in the ankle joint. This is one of the most common injuries and has different ranges of severity.
  

Volleyball

Volleyball is a very popular as both a recreational and competitive sport. The season generally lasts through the winter months, late fall through early spring. Each year, around 187,000 volleyball-related injuries are treated.

Common Volleyball Injuries:

• Hamstring Strain - A stretching or partial tearing of the hamstring muscle(s). This injury is often called a pulled hamstring.
• Achilles Tendonitis – An inflammation and irritation of the Achilles tendon which connects the back of your foot to your calf muscle. This can cause severe pain and discomfort.
• Ankle Sprain – A stretching, partial tear, or tear of ligaments in the ankle joint. This is one of the most common injuries and has different ranges of severity.
• Shoulder Sprain – An overexertion of the ligaments around the shoulder joint that causes a partial tearing.
• Tendonitis – The inflammation and irritation of tendons that attach muscles to bones in joints. Most commonly tendonitis affects the knee, elbow, and shoulder.
• Elbow Bursitis – The bursa are sacks of fluid between bone and tendon that allow the tendon to slide smoothly. Bursitis is caused when bursa become inflamed and irritated due to overuse.
• Jumper’s Knee – Jumpers knee, as it is commonly called, is tendonitis of the patellar tendon. This injury is also referred to as runner’s knee and is caused by an excess of stress on the knees.
• Lower Back Strain – A stretching or partial tearing of the lower back muscles. The muscles that support the spine in the lower back are often vulnerable in sports where jumping is prevalent.

Tips for Preventing Volleyball Injuries

Swimming

Swimming is a popular exercise and activity performed by people of all ages year round. But swimmers can incur a variety of injuries and some can be very serious.

Common Swimming Injuries:

• Shoulder Sprain - An overexertion of the ligaments around the shoulder joint that causes a partial tearing.
• Tendonitis – The inflammation and irritation of tendons that attach muscles to bones in joints. Most commonly tendonitis affects the knee, elbow, and shoulder.
• Ankle Sprain – A stretching, partial tear, or tear of ligaments in the ankle joint. This is one of the most common injuries and has different ranges of severity.
• Toe and Forefoot Fractures– Pain, swelling and sometimes bruising are the most common signs of a fracture.

Tips for Preventing Swimming Injuries

Golf

Golf is a very popular recreational sport among all age groups.

Common Golf Injuries:

• Golfers Elbow – This is the everyday term for Lateral Epicondylitis. This occurs when the tendons start to tear at the outside of the elbow. This condition can occur from many activities besides golf, although it is common in tennis.
• Low Back Pain – A discomfort of the muscles in the low back area caused by overexertion and twisting.
• Plantar Fasciitis – This is the inflammation and irritation of the plantar fascia, ligaments that attach the heel to the toes. This condition results in pain in the heel.
• Shoulder Sprain – An overexertion of the ligaments around the shoulder joint that may cause a partial tearing.
• Achilles Tendonitis – An inflammation and irritation of the achilles tendon which connects the back of your foot to your calf muscle. This can cause severe pain and discomfort.
• Ankle Sprain – A stretching, partial tear, or tear of ligaments in the ankle joint. This is one of the most common injuries and has different ranges of severity.

Tips for Preventing Golf Injuries

Soccer

Soccer is rapidly becoming more popular particularly among younger school age children.

Common Soccer Injuries:

• Runner’s Knee – Also called jumper’s knee, this condition is caused by an excess of stress on the knees common from excessive running. It leads to pain and inflammation of the patellar tendon.
• Shin Splints – (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) Pain and swelling in the front of the lower leg or shin area. This is caused by an inflammation of tissues covering the bone. Most often, shin splints occur from repeated pounding during running.
• Plantar Fasciitis – This is the inflammation and irritation of the plantar fascia, ligaments that attach the heel to the toes. This condition results in pain in the heel.
• Achilles Tendonitis – An inflammation and irritation of the achilles tendon which connects the back of your foot to your calf muscle. This can cause severe pain and discomfort.
• Hamstring Strain – A stretching or partial tearing of the hamstring muscle(s). This injury is often called a pulled hamstring.
• Ankle Sprain – A stretching, partial tear, or tear of ligaments in the ankle joint. This is one of the most common injuries and has different ranges of severity.
• Blisters – Irritation or rubbing of the skin over the same area can result in these sores. Blisters often fill with fluid and can be tender to the touch.

Tips for Preventing Soccer Injuries

Sprains, Strains, and Contusions
By far, sprains strains and contusions account for the majority of sport-related injuries. They all have different levels of severity and, therefore, must be cared for according to the severity.