Common Spring Sports Injuries
As winter draws to a close, the temperatures warm up, and the days start getting longer, many people feel inspired to get outside and start exercising, either recreationally or competitively. Unfortunately, this can lead to a slew of sports injuries. Below, we explore common spring sports injuries, offer tips on how to prevent them, and explain where you should go if you need treatment.
What Are the Most Common Spring Sports Injuries?
Some of the most common spring sports injuries include:
- Ankle sprains
- Concussions
- Groin pulls
- Hamstring strains
- Runner’s knee
- Shin splints
- Tennis elbow
How to Prevent Common Spring Sports Injuries
So, how can you reduce your risk for spring sports injuries? Be sure to:
- Get a sports physical. Many sports teams require these, but even if yours doesn’t, it’s still a good idea to attend one before the season starts. An experienced medical provider can assess whether you’re healthy enough to safely play your sport of choice and recommend any necessary modifications.
- Use the proper equipment – Before heading outside, make sure that you have all the necessary safety equipment, whether that be goggles, a mouth guard, padding, or cleats. Also check that your gear still fits well (poorly fitting helmets and shoes are an especially common problem among fast-growing kids).
- Take the time to warm up and cool down – After being cooped up all winter, you’re probably anxious to get back into the game, but playing sports without warming up and stretching beforehand can be disastrous. Also be sure to cool down and stretch once your workout is complete.
- Pay attention to your body – Ask yourself whether you’re feeling tired, sore, or dehydrated and let yourself rest as needed. You may be eager to keep playing, but pushing yourself too hard could lead to an injury that keeps you off the field for weeks or even months.
Where to Go for Treatment of Common Spring Sports Injuries
If you’ve sustained an injury, you’ll need to assess how severe it is to know where to turn for treatment. Life- or limb-threatening injuries require a trip to the emergency room (ER), while milder conditions can often be treated by a primary care or urgent care provider (and you’ll want to avoid heading to the ER for minor sports injuries, since ER visits often involve long wait times and expensive bills). While primary care providers (PCPs) tend to have in-depth knowledge about their patients’ medical histories, urgent care centers are a great alternative for when PCPs are closed or booked solid.
Offering Urgent Care for Spring Sports Injuries
PhysicianOne Urgent Care—a physician-founded practice with urgent care centers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York—offers sports physicals and treatment for non-life-threatening sports injuries. We’ve been serving this region since 2008 and we welcome patients of all ages, so everyone from first-time Little Leaguers to seasoned athletes can get the care they need. Our providers are highly experienced—they’ve all been trained in either emergency, family, or internal medicine—and they focus on providing professional, fast, and friendly urgent care. Plus, we’re in-network with most major health insurance plans and offer affordable self-pay rates for uninsured patients.
At PhysicianOne Urgent Care, we believe in delivering care when and where our patients want it, so we offer a wide range of treatment options. Our urgent care centers are all open 365 days per year with extended hours, and you can choose whether to walk in or book a visit online. We also offer a 24/7 integrated telehealth service, which is the ideal solution for when you want to speak to a local provider without having to leave the house. Don’t wait any longer to get the spring sports injury treatment you need—walk in, reserve your spot in line, or schedule a virtual visit today.
