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Fall sports season is in full swing! And with the long practices, regular games or tournaments comes the risk of injury.

So whether you play football, soccer, volleyball, or another sport — here’s how you can prevent sitting on the sidelines this season.

1. Ankle Sprains

A sprain involves injuries to the ligaments — those tough, flexible bands of connective tissue that hold together a joint, connecting cartilage, or two bones. Whenever ligaments are abruptly stretched past their limits, they become deformed, or they tear.

To prevent such a tear to the ligaments of the ankle, trainers often wrap the athlete’s ankle. Fatigue, too, can increase the risk of sprains — so rest up!

2. Knee injury and Shin Splints

Unfortunately, the knee is a body part that is very susceptible to injury. Avoiding exercise on concrete and other hard surfaces reduce the stress to this joint. Because the likelihood of shin splints increases with fatigue, proper rest is the best prevention for them.

3. Hamstring Muscle Injuries

Rest (notice a pattern here?) is needed for healing hamstring injuries. Additional prevention methods? Stretching, warming up and strengthening exercises.

4. Tennis Elbow

Any time the elbow is used a great deal, such as in tennis or in throwing a football, tears in the elbows’ ligaments can occur. Exercises that strengthen the forearm muscles are the best preventative measure, along with wearing a brace.

5. Shoulder Injury

Football tackles can cause severe shoulder injuries. Tennis, volleyball, swimming, and golf can bring on strain to shoulders, as well. Not overdoing shoulder movements is the best prevention of injury.

Our team of licensed physicians offer a comprehensive range of treatments designed to fix virtually any bone or joint in your body. With six convenient locations throughout Fairfield County, help is never far away. Request an appointment online, or call (203) 337-2600