JOHN RICHARDS SPORTS THERAPY

Running injuries are usually overuse injuries of the foot, lower leg, knee and hip. The most common injuries are listed below:

Plantar fasciitis, shin splints, calf pain/strain, ankle pain/sprain, achilles tendonitis, Iliotibial band syndrome, patella tendonitis, Patellofemoral pain syndrome, hamstring strain, thigh strain, hip/groin strain, low back pain or piriformis Syndrome.

The most common rowing injury is low back pain - closely followed by the knee. Given rowing is a repetitive sport, it is no surprise that the evidence shows that most injuries are overuse in nature and not so much traumatic (73.8% overuse vs 26.2% traumatic).

Aside from the back and knee, common rowing injuries include upper back and neck pain, muscle injuries, knee pain and wrist tendinopathies from oar rotations.

Cycling injuries are either overuse injuries which develop gradually over time due to repeated movement patterns or pressures & acute trauma.

The most common gradual onset cycling injuries tend to be knee injuries but wrist and elbow pain can also occur. IT band syndrome, petellofemoral pain, lower back pain, handlebar palsey or wrist strains.

Sudden onset injuries from a fall often occur to the shoulder as the cyclist falls onto an outstretched arm. AC joint sprain or rotator cuff tear.

As many as 1 in 4 rugby players will be injured during the season.

Over 40% of injuries are muscular strains or contusions (bruising), 30% are sprains, followed by dislocations, fractures, lacerations, and overuse injuries.

Injury prevention strategies to reduce the incidence, severity and cost of rugby injuries could include coaching on defensive skills, correct tackling technique, correct falling technique and methods to minimise the absorption of impact forces in tackles.

Alpine skiing or snowboarding is so much fun, but two things can go wrong for you this ski season: muscle soreness or injury - particularly your knee ligaments!

Associated Injuries: AC joint injury, achilles tendonitis, ACL injury, adductor tendinopathy, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, back muscle pain, bulging disc, bursitis knee/shoulder, calf muscle tear, chondromalacia patella, cramps, dislocated shoulder, DOMS - Delayed onset muscle soreness.

Most football injuries are a soft tissue injury. As expected, 50-80% of football injuries affect the feet and legs. 40-45% of leg injuries involve ankle injuries and foot pain. Most of those injuries are a sprained ankle.

Knee injuries account for 25% of leg injuries. The ACL injury (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is the most common season-ending problem but other knee ligaments are common. Meniscus tears are also common due to the pivoting nature of football.

Gymnastic injuries are common. They can be overuse injuries, overstrain or traumatic. Gymnasts can suffer injuries to all body parts. A gymnasts extremities are particularly at risk.

Wrist pain and strains are one of the most common gymnastics injuries. Not only are their wrists used for impact in tumbling and vaulting, but also with hanging apparatus such as bars and rings. This can also cause elbow injuries such as dislocation and shoulder pain is common with rotator cuff syndrome common.

Swimming is a fantastic sport that combines all body strength, flexibility and endurance. Swimmers are unfortunately prone to overuse injuries affecting the shoulder, neck, lower back and knees.

Did you know that the average student swimmer performs 1 to 2 million strokes annually with each arm? Fun fact: 90% of complaints by swimmers that bring them to the doctor and/or physiotherapist are related to shoulder problems.