Sports injuries have been classically defined as a new or recurring musculoskeletal complaint, or concussion incurred during competition or training, receiving medical attention, regardless time loss from competition or training. It has been classified in different ways like Direct/Indirect, Contact/Non- contact sports, Minor/Major.
For general understanding, we can consider classification based on presentation. Generally, occur for two different reasons: trauma and overuse.
Traumatic sports injuries are usually obvious and may be due to improper or poor training practices, wearing improper sporting gear, being in poor health condition, improper warm-up or stretching practises before a sporting event or exercise. Overuse injuries are more common nowadays.
Overuse injuries often occur when the body is pushed past its current physical limits or level of conditioning — but poor technique and training errors, such as running excessive distances or performing inadequate warm-ups, frequently contribute. The most common sports injuries are strains and sprains.
Sprains are injuries to ligaments, the tough bands connecting bones in a joint. Suddenly stretching ligaments past their limits deforms or tears them.
Strains are injuries to muscle fibres or tendons, which anchor muscles to bones. Strains are called “pulled muscles” because over-stretching or overusing a muscle causes tears in the muscle fibres or tendons.

Shoulder

• Rotator cuff tear/Labral tear/SLAP tear
• Instability
• Subacromial impingement/Adhesive capsulitis
• Bursitis/Ganglion
• Biceps tendon lesions

• Loose body
• Lateral/Medial epicondylitis (Tennis elbow/Golfer’s elbow)
• Osteochondritis dissecans

• Labral tear
• FAI
• Loose body/Stress fractures
• Trochanteric bursitis
• Snapping hip (iliopsoas tendonitis)/Hamstring stretch

• ACL tear/PCL tear/LCL tear/MCL tear/Quadriceps tear/MPFL tear/patellar tendon rupture/Meniscus tears
• Cartilage defects/Osteochondral defects
• Arthrofibrosis
• Patella instability
• Shin splints
• Loose bodies

• Osteochondral lesions/TA rupture/Stress fractures
• Loose bodies
• Impingement
• Synovitis/Sprain

Self-assessment:

• Stop the game or activity if you go down/hurt.
• Recollect series of events to share with clinician so they can assess the type of injury for appropriate management.
• Look at signs/body posture which you experience.
• Touch the injured site gently with care.
• Check if you can move; else consider transport with support or stretcher.
• Passive movement: if possible, move the limb/joint to full extent and record your reaction.

First Aid: Observe Universal Precaution in Case of Bleeding

• Protect the affected part with splints, slings, or supports.
• Rest your affected part by not moving/walking on it. Use crutches if necessary.
• Ice it to reduce swelling. Use a thin piece of cloth (e.g., pillowcase) between the ice bag and skin.
• Compression can help control swelling as well as immobilize and support your injury.
• Elevate the foot by reclining and propping it up above the waist or heart as needed.

Things to Avoid (No HARM):

• Heat treatments or hot water exposure to the injured area
• Alcohol, tobacco, or any other drug consumption
• Running, stretching, movements, or weight-bearing activity that is painful
• Aggressive or deep massage
• Ice or commercial cold packs placed directly on the skin
• Advice contrary to common sense or widely accepted principles of basic injury care

Being tough is good but you also need to be smart and vigilant. Serious sports injuries can require surgery and physical therapy. If you suspect a serious injury or if you come across any of these signs, immediately consult a sports injury specialist

• If the problem is in the location of a previous injury
• Deformities in the joint or bone - it looks deformed or you notice abnormal movement
• You cannot bear weight or feel unconfident while using the limb or can't use the limb without a feeling of giving way
• Excessive swelling, pain, and movement restrictions
• Changes in skin colour beyond mild bruising
• It's not improving or worsening after 24–36 hours of PRICE therapy
• A trip to the ER is also advised if the injured person becomes notably pale, loses pulse, or experiences paralysis, tingling, or extreme pain, as these can be signs of damage to blood vessels or nerves
• Extra precautions are needed in case of special population subsets like children or the elderly. Sometimes, simple-looking tissue injuries might hide more serious fractures or ligament injuries
• Never ignore your symptoms. Remember, the earlier you get a diagnosis and treatment, the lesser the damage and the sooner you’ll recover with better chances to get back in the game

• Proven experience of 26 years of brand Shalby with verified results.
• State of the art advanced clinic with focus on faster rehab and smooth return to sports/activity.
• Integrated multidisciplinary clinic for holistic management of various sports injuries.
• Multidisciplinary team comprised of Sports Injury Arthroscopy Surgeon, Trauma Surgeon, Physical Therapist, Physician, Psychologist, Nutritionist.
• All diagnostic facilities like Imaging, pathology under one roof.
• Evidence based approach with basket of treatment options like Ortho-biologics, Minimally Invasive Arthroscopic Surgery along with Open surgical treatment.
• A well curated individualised faster rehab programme customised to your needs.
• We not only offer joint preservation surgery but equally focus on avoiding surgery whenever possible by providing the most cutting-edge, non-operative treatment for our patients.
• Patient education programme with sports specific injury prevention guideline workshops.

• Accurately define the location and severity of your injury.
• Perform in-office diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound, order x-rays and other imaging studies.
• Give the most accurate estimates of healing and return to activity timeframe.
• Recommend more advanced management, such as immobilization, bracing, orthotics, protected weight bearing, medications, injections, or surgery.
• Discuss sport specific skills, cross training, weight and cardiovascular workouts that are safe to perform despite an injury.
• Communicate effectively with coaches, athletic trainers and family, if necessary.
• Devise rehabilitation protocols customized to the injury, sport and player position.
• Provide recommendations/orders for other treatments, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy, Graston technique, Kinesio-taping, Active Release Therapy, acupuncture, and/or osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation.
• Offer strategies for nutrition, dietary supplements and injury prevention for sports and exercise enhancement.
• Guide gradual return to sport and activity through regular ongoing follow-up visits.

Many sports injuries cause immediate pain or discomfort. Few, like overuse injuries, might be noticed only after long-term damage and are often diagnosed during routine physical examinations or check-ups.
If you think you have an injury, your doctor will likely use the following steps to get a diagnosis based on your symptoms and history of mode of trauma. These include:

• History: Your doctor might ask a few questions about your mode of injury, what you were doing, what you’ve done since the injury, and the progression of symptoms. If it’s your first visit, the doctor may also enquire more thoroughly about your medical and personal history.
• Physical examination: Your doctor may attempt to elicit pain by touching or moving the injured joint or body part. Through special tests, they can check the integrity of your musculoskeletal system.
• Imaging tests: They may advise blood tests, X-rays (routine/special views), MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, or neuromuscular tests (EMG, NCV) to confirm your diagnosis, which will help plan the management of your sports injury.

Minor injuries, such as mild sprains and strains, can often be initially treated at home using PRICE therapy for two or three days.

PRICE

PRICE stands for Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

• Protection – Protect the affected area from further injury – for example, by using a support.
• Rest – Avoid exercise and reduce daily physical activity. Using crutches or a walking stick may help if you can't put weight on your ankle or knee. A sling may help for shoulder injuries.
• Ice – Apply an ice pack for 15–20 minutes every 2–3 hours. A bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel works well. Avoid direct contact with skin to prevent ice burn.
• Compression – Use elastic compression bandages during the day to limit swelling.
• Elevation – Raise the injured body part above heart level when possible. Do toe/finger movements unless advised otherwise. This helps reduce swelling.

Pain Relief

Your doctor may advise:

• Paracetamol depending on age and medical conditions.
• Opioids, Ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs (as tablets or creams) to ease pain and reduce swelling.

Immobilisation

Helps prevent further damage, reduce pain, swelling, and muscle spasm:

• Use of slings, splints, and casts for injured arms, shoulders, wrists, and legs.
• For sprains, prolonged immobilisation is usually not needed. Start gentle movement as soon as pain allows.

Physiotherapy

Helpful especially for long-term recovery and post-surgery:

• Involves massage, manipulation, and exercises.
• Improves range of motion, strengthens muscles, and restores function.
• Customised exercise programmes reduce recurrence risk.

Corticosteroid / Ortho-biologic Injections

• Corticosteroid Injections – Used in cases like epicondylitis with severe inflammation.
  • Relieves pain, though effects may be short-lived.
  • Limit to 2–3 injections per year to avoid side effects (e.g., skin thinning, infection).
• Ortho-biologics – Includes FFP, PRP, MSCs, and stem cells.
  • Uses body’s natural substances in higher concentration.
  • Aims to improve symptoms and potentially regenerate tissue.
  • Still under research and may not be suitable for everyone.

Surgery

• Usually not needed for most sports injuries.
• Required for severe cases like complex fractures.
• Options:
  • Manipulation or open/closed fixation with wires, plates, screws, or rods.
  • Minimally invasive procedures like Arthroscopy for joint injuries.
  • Surgical repair for torn ligaments (e.g., knee ligaments).

Depending on the type of injury you have, it can take a few weeks to a few months or more to make a full recovery. You shouldn't return to your previous level of activity until you've fully recovered, but you should aim to gently start moving the injured body part as soon as possible.
Gentle exercises should help to improve the area’s range of movement. As movement becomes easier and the pain decreases, stretching and strengthening exercises can be introduced. Make sure you don't try to do too much too quickly because this can delay recovery. Start by doing frequent repetitions of a few simple exercises before gradually increasing the amount you do.
In some cases, the help of a professional, such as a physiotherapist or sports injury specialist, may be beneficial. They can design a suitable recovery programme and advise you about the exercises you should do and the number of repetitions.
A well curated Rehab programme include Prehab and Rehab. Goal of prehab is to prepare muscle strength to counter surgery induced weakness while Rehab aims for Resolving pain and inflammation, Restoration of ROM, Muscle strengthening, Balance training, Gait training, Perturbation training and improving your technique in your particular sport through individual training to group and team training thus ensures your faster return to sports/activity.