Injuries

Injuries to muscles, ligaments and tendons are part and parcel of everyday life, although they are also common in sport. Examples include overstretching or tearing of ligaments (sprains), overstretching or partial tearing of muscles or tendons (strains), and complete tearing of a muscle or tendon (rupture). 

Symptoms usually include redness, pain, swelling and loss of function or mobility. Warning signs of a more serious injury such as a bone fracture include severe pain, immediate swelling, deformity of the affected part, extreme loss of function or noises from the injury site.

Soft tissue injuries usually respond well to self care measures, including resting and elevating the affected area, and applying ice or cold treatments to reduce pain and inflammation, followed by compression to help disperse excess fluid and reduce swelling. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other painkillers also have a place.

Fractures may be closed or open. In the latter, the broken bone comes through the skin, increasing the risk of infection to both. The bone may have also become displaced, which means it is no longer in the correct position and needs to be moved back. For fractures to heal, the bone must be held in place, sometimes using a cast or splint to fully immobilise it, or a brace or sling which provides support and allows limited movement. Sometimes surgery is necessary, and there may be follow-up physiotherapy as well as pain relief in the short term.