Ankle sprains and knee injuries are among the most common sports injuries people tend to develop. Other injuries include groin pulls, shin splints, tennis elbow, and hamstring sprains. According to Peter A. Matsuura, M.D., a sports medicine and orthopedic surgeon in Hilo, HI, the majority of the time, these injuries can be avoided. You just have to know the proper precautions to take before, during, and after participating in any sport activity.

3 Tips To Prevent Common Sports Injuries

1. Work Out Beforehand

It is fairly common for people to sit behind a desk all week with little to no physical activity, and then when the weekend arrives, to participate in a game of tag football. Sports injuries are bound to arise in these situations, as your body is not properly conditioned for the activity. Lightly working out the needed muscle groups in the weeks leading up to the activity can help you avoid unbearable back or knee pain by maintaining your joint flexibility and increasing your muscle strength.

2. Don’t Overdo It

Once you’ve hit your limit during any sport, call it quits. There is no shame in bailing out early or taking periodic breaks. Avoiding the signs your body needs to stop can result in muscle fatigue and will greatly increase your risk of injury. Also, if you continue playing through noticeable pain, you could be causing serious damage to one or more parts of your body. Instead, continue working out during the time leading up to your next event or game to further condition your body to the sport.

3. Stay Hydrated

Heat injuries can be just as catastrophic to your body as a physical injury, and in many cases, they can actually put you at risk for developing a sports injury. Avoid this by drinking plenty of water before, during, and after the game.

To learn more ways you can prevent common sports injuries, contact Peter A. Matsuura, M.D. today. You can schedule a consultation with this sports medicine surgeon by calling (808) 969-3331, or visit him online to learn more about the orthopedic services he provides.