Common Summer Sports Injuries

Summer allows you to partake in all sorts of sports activities thanks to those long, glorious sunshiny days.

However, it also holds potential for a lot of injuries as people are out boating, riding motorcycles, and mountain biking, and more. The potential for trauma caused by operating either a bike or even a skateboard at high speed can be a simple road rash or something much worse.

Common summer sports injuries include:

• Overuse Injuries. Swimmers and surfers are often plagued by shoulder issues later in life, but overuse can affect anyone who uses the wrong form in a sport or simply repeats a movement so much it results in sprains, strains, or other soft tissue damage. For example, baseball players have a habit of throwing an elbow out from tossing the ball around all summer long. Shin splints can happen to runners who continually run on hard surfaces, wearing improper attire or shoes that don’t fit.

Overuse injuries are particularly worrisome in children and teens because their bones are not done growing; if the growth plate is damaged, it could have lifelong ramifications.

• With no snow or piles of leaves to cushion a fall, fractures seem to shoot up in the summertime. Improper conditioning and lack of protective gear don’t help, either – such as those who skateboard at a park after not having done so in quite a while or not wearing wrist guards, knee pads, and a helmet.
• Bicycle Accidents. Biking down rocky mountain trails, uneven roadways, or other areas opens up the potential for sprains, strains, and fractures. Taking on trails outside your skill level can add to your risk of injury. Don’t try bunny-hopping down a 30’ rock face if you haven’t already successfully done it on a 25’ rock face. 

Preventing Summertime Injuries

To prevent injury, one should always wear the appropriate protective gear, even if it is hot outside. It’s better to be a little uncomfortable than to break a leg.

Also, proper strength and endurance conditioning is essential, especially if you’ve been cooped up all winter and your muscles need a little extra stretching and strengthening before you can play like you did at the end of last summer.

Warming up and stretching before heading out for a pickup game of flag football is important because cold muscles can seize up and cause strains that can end up curtailing your activities for a while.

To avoid fractures, it may help to ensure your diet is rich in vitamin D and calcium to promote healthy bones. Weight-bearing exercise also helps to promote bone strength

Many overuse injuries can be avoided by being cautious and adopting self-care therapies when needed, such as RICE (rest, icing, compression, and elevation).

Always take precautionary steps like not diving into untested waters, wear safety gear, and bring a buddy instead of going solo.

If you or someone you know gets hurt this summer, contact Advanced Bone and Joint by calling (636) 229-4222 or request an appointment now to get healed quick so you can get back to enjoying the season.