Sports Injuries: First Aid, Treatment, and Prevention of Muscle and Joint Injuries in Sports

Exercising in moderation is very healthy, but it always carries a risk of injury. In some cases, the responsibility for avoiding and preventing sports injuries lies with the athlete themselves. The risk of injury is highest in team sports: Here, the athletes’ safety also depends on the behavior of their teammates. This increases the risk of accidents.

Proper training and targeted preparation are essential for injury-free sports.

Warm-up exercises stretch and loosen the muscles and ligaments beforehand. This reduces the risk of overstretching.

Appropriate sports clothing and, if necessary, protective gear also minimize the risk of injury. For example, soccer cleats offer greater protection against slipping and being kicked in the toes than regular shoes.

Many medical professional associations offer exercise programs specifically designed to prevent sports injuries. These include, for example, “StopX” for the prevention of anterior cruciate ligament tears.

However, sports injuries cannot be completely prevented, especially when teammates or animals—such as a riding horse—are involved.

Some sports injuries are immediately apparent, while others do not become noticeable until hours or days later. Very painful and, depending on the affected body part, also immediately visible are, for example,

• fractures,
• bruises,
• sprains, or
• torn ligaments, such as a torn ligament in the ankle.

Those affected usually go to the doctor on their own.

Minor strains and tears pose an equally high but often unrecognized risk: These are often tolerable and are treated at home with cold spray instead of by a doctor. However, this means the athlete forgoes a professional diagnosis and treatment.

Recognizing symptoms of injury is essential! Athletes should therefore watch for the following signs:

• Swelling,
• throbbing, dull, or pulling, tearing pain,
• a bruise at the site of the injury,
• possible redness of the skin at the affected site,
• Sensitivity to pressure and touch,
• worsening of pain with (certain) movements,
• difficulty moving the affected body part, up to immobility,
• in the case of broken bones: nausea, circulatory problems, inability to touch the area.

Seeking treatment for a sports injury as soon as possible is strongly recommended © mnirat | AdobeStock

If you think you’ve been injured while playing sports, you should stop the activity and see a doctor. If you’re experiencing severe pain or have open wounds, go to the hospital’s emergency room. Minor injuries, strains, or bruises can also be diagnosed by a sports medicine doctor later on.

In the early stages, until your appointment, the following measures can help, among others

• cold sprays to reduce swelling,
• cold compresses, and
• pain relievers, if necessary.

Pain relievers carry the risk that those affected may underestimate the severity of the injury once the medication takes effect and continue to move around. In general, however, medication should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.

While an appointment with a primary care physician is sufficient for an initial examination, the physician should refer patients to the appropriate specialists.

Sports medicine specialists have more experience treating sports injuries. They can also provide guidance on when and how the athlete can resume their activities.

First, the doctor makes the diagnosis. This may require further tests, such as imaging procedures. In most cases, an X-ray is sufficient. If injuries to

• tendons,
• ligaments, or
• cartilage

, however, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is necessary. In exceptional cases, a CT scan may also be used.

This is followed by treatment of the acute injury: 

• Affected joints are initially immobilized,
• fractures are set in a cast, and
• skin wounds are cleaned and dressed with sterile dressings.

In some cases, sports medicine specialists may prescribe pain medication, though this should not completely eliminate the pain. Mild, tolerable pain serves as a reliable indicator for patients of which movements they should avoid until healing has progressed sufficiently. It would be disastrous to put strain on the body again too soon simply because the pain has subsided.

A few weeks after the first appointment, follow-up appointments are scheduled. At that time, the doctor removes bandages, splints, or casts and can provide information about the further course of the injury and the healing process.

As a rule, a sports injury remains under treatment and observation until it is pain-free and has healed completely.

What are the most common sports injuries?

Common sports injuries vary depending on the sport. In soccer and jogging, injuries to the ankle and foot, as well as thigh muscle strains, are particularly common. In combat sports, bruises and dislocations of the shoulder or fingers often occur. Endurance sports also carry risks; here, overuse injuries such as Achilles tendonitis in the heel or problems with the knee’s meniscus are more common. Ligament and joint injuries are among the most common diagnoses in sports medicine across all sports.

How does first aid according to the RICE rule work?

The so-called RICE method is the standard protocol for acute sports injuries. R stands for Rest: The athletic activity must be stopped immediately. I stands for Ice: Cooling constricts the blood vessels, reduces bleeding, and relieves acute pain. C stands for Compression: A compression bandage prevents excessive swelling. H stands for Elevation: The affected body part, such as the foot, should be elevated above heart level to promote the return of blood and lymph fluid.

What are the causes of sports injuries?

The causes of sports injuries are varied. Accidents are often caused by a lack of warm-up, poor equipment, or overestimating one’s abilities. Acute injuries are often caused by sudden twisting movements or falls. Another major category is overuse injuries: When chronic overuse causes microscopic damage to tendons, muscles, and bones that the body cannot repair quickly enough, this leads to long-term discomfort.

How can sports injuries be prevented?

To prevent sports injuries, an adequate warm-up is essential to prepare muscles and joints for the physical demands of the activity. Targeted muscle training stabilizes the joints and significantly reduces the risk of sports injuries. Wearing protective gear—such as shin guards in soccer—and allowing for recovery periods also help prevent overexertion and stress fractures.

How are muscle injuries treated?

A muscle strain or tear often causes cramp-like pain. In addition to the RICE method, treatment for sports injuries of this type is often conservative. Physical therapists use lymphatic drainage and massage once the acute phase has passed. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used to support recovery. In the case of a complete muscle tear, surgery may be necessary to reattach the ends of the muscle.

When is it considered a sprain?

A sprain (distorsion) is an overstretching of a joint’s capsular-ligamentous apparatus, often at the ankle joint. This can cause ligament fibers to tear, which is referred to as a ligament tear. Symptoms include swelling, bruising, and pain during weight-bearing caused by instability. Unlike tears or joint dislocations (luxations), in which the joint surfaces lose contact, the joint returns to its normal position in the case of a sprain.

What should you do for chronic conditions such as tennis elbow?

Tendons and muscles can become irritated by repetitive movements. These chronic inflammatory processes at the tendon insertions require patience. Treatment includes stretching exercises, transverse friction massage by physical therapists, and sometimes shock wave therapy. It is important to identify the causes of the overuse and adjust the technique used in sports activities to prevent further irritation.

When should you see a doctor?

If acute pain is very severe, a misalignment is visible, or there is suspicion of fractures or dislocations, immediate medical attention is required. Also, if swelling does not subside despite cooling and elevation, or if a joint—such as the knee—becomes locked (suspected meniscus injury), a precise diagnosis via MRI is necessary. This is the only way to distinguish serious injuries from harmless contusions and to ensure proper splinting or surgical intervention.