Internal sports injuries refer to injuries that occur within the body, affecting internal structures such as muscles, ligaments, tendons, organs, and bones. The range from mild to severe can be caused by overuse, trauma, improper technique, and accidents during sports activities.Preventing internal sports injuries involves proper training, conditioning, and correct sporting practice. Wearing appropriate protective gear, maintaining fitness levels, warming up properly, and using the correct form is essential. If an internal injury is suspected, seeking medical attention is crucial, as some injuries worsen over time.
Identifying internal sports injuries can be challenging because not all injuries have immediate or obvious symptoms. Signs and symptoms that might indicate an internal sports injury you should be aware of:
- Persistent or increasing pain, especially if it is sharp, severe, or localized to a specific area.
- Swelling that does not improve with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) might suggest an underlying issue.
- Limited Range of Motion: If you experience difficulty moving a joint or limb, it could indicate an injury to the muscles, ligaments, or tendons around that area.
- Sudden weakness or a feeling of instability in a joint could be a sign of a ligament or muscle injury.
- Numbness or Tingling sensations indicate nerve involvement, which could be a result of an internal injury.
- While bruising might be visible on the skin’s surface, internal bleeding can cause visible bruising deeper within the body.
- A blow to the head causes dizziness, confusion, nausea, or other changes in mental state that indicate a concussion or other head injury.
- An impact to the abdomen or lower back causes changes in urination or bowel movements might suggest internal organ involvement.
- If you experience difficulty breathing or pain when breathing deeply, it could indicate a rib or lung injury.
- Extreme fatigue or weakness that persists despite rest might indicate an underlying issue.
- An irregular or unusually fast heartbeat after a sports activityindicates cardiac stress or other internal issues.
- Internal injuries result in immediate and intense pain or discomfort at the moment of impact.
Providing first aid for internal injuries is limited, and professional medical evaluation and treatment are essential.Top of Form
Encourage the injured person to lie down and remain still. Keep the injured person calm and reassured. Offer emotional support while you wait for medical help.Movement can exacerbate internal injuries.If the person is conscious, monitor their breathing. If breathing becomes difficult or stops, be prepared to administer CPR.Keep them warm with blankets or clothing to stabilize their condition, if the person is experiencing shock due to the injury. For visible external bleeding, apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or bandage. Gently support or immobilize the injured area. For example, if you suspect a spinal injury, keep the person’s head and neck stable by using your hands to gently support their head in a neutral position.
Internal injuries can be serious and require prompt medical attention, even if the person appears okay initially, internal injuries can worsen over time. At DeNiel Foot & Ankle Center, our qualified podiatrist Houston engages with you in working toward your health and sports goals.
provide them with accurate information about the injury and any actions you’ve taken.
